Preachers are to be above reproach both within the church and outside the church. They are biblically held to a higher standard and James stated that they would receive greater judgment because of their position. To call what Long has done a mere wreck is offensive at best. What about the four boys who at the time were just boys? I wonder what the families of these young boys think about his supposed wreck? What if that was your teenage son and you heard a preacher dismissing the adults failure flippantly as a fender bender? Me, I would be outraged!!
Long's long list of fender benders doesn't even stop at homosexuality. He swindled his own congregation out of countless dollars on a ponzi scheme he endorsed and pushed! How is that for a loving shepherd? How about telling those people who trusted their pastor after they lost life's savings that he merely had a fender bender.
I make no apologies, these pulpit pimps need rode out town on the first train to nowhere!
Ordering people back to Long's church??? What for, to subject your children to a pedophile and a swindler? Not to mention other areas of his life that is questionable.
Even the world has better sense than the church. A train that wrecks... the engineer is called in question immediately and if he is found to be at fault for negligence or indulging in illegal substance he is prosecuted and disciplined. Good and right! We in the church - call it a fender bender and if you were caught in the melee - well, sorry you need to ride his train without question!
Should we forgive? Absolutely, what that means is, set him down in the back of the church until he re-proves himself. Not back behind the pulpit the next week calling it a fender bender. Ministers must understand that there are consequences attached to sin.
James 3:1 (KJV)
1 My brethren, be not many masters (teachers), knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (judgment).
1 Timothy 3:7 (KJV)
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
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