| BI-WEEKLY COLUMNISTS |
According to a recent article on Essence.com, “ministers
are about neck and neck with professional athletes and
actors when it comes to sex scandals.”
Ouch.
The contributing writer said, “It boggles my mind that
guys never seem to learn from each other's lessons when
it comes to staying faithful to their spouses, particularly
when they're in positions of power.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of reading stories
that make generalizations about and degrade Christian
men because of unfortunate mishaps that some popular
pastors have been fallen prey to. Popular or “celebrity”
are about neck and neck with professional athletes and
actors when it comes to sex scandals.”
Ouch.
The contributing writer said, “It boggles my mind that
guys never seem to learn from each other's lessons when
it comes to staying faithful to their spouses, particularly
when they're in positions of power.”
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of reading stories
that make generalizations about and degrade Christian
men because of unfortunate mishaps that some popular
pastors have been fallen prey to. Popular or “celebrity”
Should Scandal Among Pastors Hurt the Reputation of
Christian Men in General?
Christian Men in General?
By Kennisha Hill, EEW MAGAZINE RELATIONSHIP COLUMNIST
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pastors do not speak or act on behalf of all Christian men. Just because they are most visible, doesn’t
make them the standard. Of course the Essence article mentioned the latest news of Pastor Zachery
Tims’ death which has done more than create a buzz of speculation surrounding his cause of death.
The writer lumps Tims in the prominent “Christian-leaders-who-have-been-unfaithful” category.
Granted, he is one who had his share of struggles—drug history and adultery with a stripper in Paris.
Many even suggest he assumed his ministerial roles too quickly after the scandal—Tims came back
after just 3 months—without having enough time to heal. According to the NY Times, Bishop TD
Jakes even said, “He tried hard to heal himself, to fix himself.”
We all know that Dr. Tims wasn’t a perfect man and makes the list of Christian leaders who have left
many with feelings of disappointment, particularly single ladies in particular who hope for a serious
saved man. Some wonder, “Does a real saved man even exist?”
I admit. Some of the recent high-profile mess-ups don’t look good to single ladies out there. I
personally know that women are looking for the real deal, especially saved single ladies. You want a
man who says they love God and practice what they preach, right?
Of course you do and rightfully so.
But the problem I have with this Essence article is that it suggests that because some celebrity
Pastors have been caught slipping, Christian men are just like all the rest. And that’s not fair just
because a few of our leaders in the limelight set poor examples.
I shouldn’t be surprised, though. People tend to worship people, sadly. And that makes it difficult to
have hope and faith in the integrity of the men of God when all the media seems to discuss is their
shortcomings. They supposedly represent the larger church, thus throwing every other Christian,
man or couple under the bus. Well, I am sick of people calling out the entire church on behalf of the
human error of a select few!
We are all flawed. No one is perfect (Romans 3:23). And the person who feels they are needs to
repent for lying about their own hidden sin. We all have issues and would be lost if not for God’s
grace. With that said, none of us should look to any one person to define perfection. Moreover, just
because a Bishop, Prophet, Reverend or Apostle falls, it doesn’t mean all Christians or Christian men
are struggling with the same issues.
Here’s a tip: If you really desire a saved man who truly loves God, make sure you are living right too.
Saved men are looking for saved women and they’ll know them by their fruit.
As a Christian Relationship Columnist, I hear a lot from saved women AND men who sincerely love
God and are waiting for God to send their mate. Are they perfect? No. But, they do their best to live a
life that’s pleasing to God by upholding His standards. And they are looking for someone who will live
with the same values.
If I were you, I wouldn’t allow a man with any position, even in the church, to define perfection.
Instead, look only to Jesus for that.
What are your thoughts on this?
Email Kennisha Hill at khill@eewmagazine.com or TableTalk@eewmagazine.com to share your
perspective!
make them the standard. Of course the Essence article mentioned the latest news of Pastor Zachery
Tims’ death which has done more than create a buzz of speculation surrounding his cause of death.
The writer lumps Tims in the prominent “Christian-leaders-who-have-been-unfaithful” category.
Granted, he is one who had his share of struggles—drug history and adultery with a stripper in Paris.
Many even suggest he assumed his ministerial roles too quickly after the scandal—Tims came back
after just 3 months—without having enough time to heal. According to the NY Times, Bishop TD
Jakes even said, “He tried hard to heal himself, to fix himself.”
We all know that Dr. Tims wasn’t a perfect man and makes the list of Christian leaders who have left
many with feelings of disappointment, particularly single ladies in particular who hope for a serious
saved man. Some wonder, “Does a real saved man even exist?”
I admit. Some of the recent high-profile mess-ups don’t look good to single ladies out there. I
personally know that women are looking for the real deal, especially saved single ladies. You want a
man who says they love God and practice what they preach, right?
Of course you do and rightfully so.
But the problem I have with this Essence article is that it suggests that because some celebrity
Pastors have been caught slipping, Christian men are just like all the rest. And that’s not fair just
because a few of our leaders in the limelight set poor examples.
I shouldn’t be surprised, though. People tend to worship people, sadly. And that makes it difficult to
have hope and faith in the integrity of the men of God when all the media seems to discuss is their
shortcomings. They supposedly represent the larger church, thus throwing every other Christian,
man or couple under the bus. Well, I am sick of people calling out the entire church on behalf of the
human error of a select few!
We are all flawed. No one is perfect (Romans 3:23). And the person who feels they are needs to
repent for lying about their own hidden sin. We all have issues and would be lost if not for God’s
grace. With that said, none of us should look to any one person to define perfection. Moreover, just
because a Bishop, Prophet, Reverend or Apostle falls, it doesn’t mean all Christians or Christian men
are struggling with the same issues.
Here’s a tip: If you really desire a saved man who truly loves God, make sure you are living right too.
Saved men are looking for saved women and they’ll know them by their fruit.
As a Christian Relationship Columnist, I hear a lot from saved women AND men who sincerely love
God and are waiting for God to send their mate. Are they perfect? No. But, they do their best to live a
life that’s pleasing to God by upholding His standards. And they are looking for someone who will live
with the same values.
If I were you, I wouldn’t allow a man with any position, even in the church, to define perfection.
Instead, look only to Jesus for that.
What are your thoughts on this?
Email Kennisha Hill at khill@eewmagazine.com or TableTalk@eewmagazine.com to share your
perspective!
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