World Impact Ministries / Peter Youngren

Amen to that. Somebody has said that the longest journey some biblical truths take to be real experiencially is from the head to the heart. Its so true.

The worldly way of performing out of knowledge of good & evil has become so entrenched in our minds as beleivers that even solutions offered to deep spiritual problems is becoming worldly. Sadly a preacher who lacks the revelation of the cross faces tremendous pressure and finally succumbs to it. Us beleivers in the pew don’t make it easy for them either as we tend to replace preachers as rolemodels. Why preachers should be exempt from the righteousness freely imputed to all beleivers by our Lord???

The cross is the most powerful negative in the universe & our Lords resurrection is the most powerful positive of this universe. Only Jesus & Jesus alone can live his life in and through us. Expecting anything else from oneself is ugly stinking spiritual pride.

Hebrews 12: 1,2 encourages me a lot. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

It says - And the sin…which is this SIN- the sin of unbelief- not beleiving in what Jesus has already accomplished- Halleluyah!!! which so easily entangles us, yes coz its so easy to look at our performance..Let us fix our eyes on JESUS, the author and finisher of our faith, who took the shame of the cross upon himself..

Let every preacher be aware that our saviour has taken our shame. That is why Paul so boldly declares that he is not ashamed of the GOSPEl of christ..Halleluyah!!!! This new revelation of my beautiful Lord sometimes so excites me that I feel like zooming off like a missile on a mission- YES THE GOSPEL MISSION

Good word! I agree! Amen.

11 ‘For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men (Jesus), 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.‘ Titus 2:11-14

That’s the answer to what will keep us in check. Grace produces true holiness.
Oh and to fall from grace is not to sin. It means to bring ourselves back under law again. According to Galatians 5,
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,* and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
with regards to professional help?
would this be an answer?
Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish
Psalm 1

Yes, Jesus is the answer. His blood washes WHITER than snow. Hallelujah! But are you suggesting that when a pastor falls, he or she can be left to handle it on his or her own? I don’t think so. Completely turning away from the morally sinful behaviour and asking Jesus to again rule ALL of his/her life takes more than just a submissive spirit - it takes the help and support of ongoing Christian professional counselling that will keep that pastor accountable. We need pastors who are professionally trained in psychology, understanding personality traits, human weaknesses, etc. Restoration is a slow process. Trust has been broken. A lot of pain has ensued - maybe even an illegitimate child (like David and Bathsheba) However, I would hope that when a pastor is asked to step down because of moral failure, that it be only for a while, so that he or she can refocus on Jesus and spend some time renewing his or her mind. FULL RESTORATION should then be available once the person has confessed that there has been a complete change of heart. Then there needs to be time for healing in that person’s family. Again, professional help may be needed there, too that will prayerfully invite Jesus to heal and restore. Praise God for His grace and forgiveness! May any who have fallen submit totally to Jesus; and with the support of wise, gracious and understanding family and friends, be shown the love and grace we all need to get back up and live again for Jesus.

His Compassions fail not they are new every moring Lamentions 3:23

Another great article from Peter! Always thought exactly the same, human wisdom seems to reign supreme in the lives of many Christians. Revelation is what we need! The author of The Book Himself teaching you and I. However, reliance on the unrenewed mind has caused so many practices within Christendom to weaken believers that often we practice things as ‘Biblical’ without ever questioning the source of these practices. When you starting walking in revelations as a norm then you quickly see through all these man made practices instantly for what they are - WORKS of the flesh (which takes human effort) and not FRUIT of the Spirit (which takes grace to form). Professional couselling? LOL.

Wow. Talk about an ‘ah-ha’ moment. I absolutely never thought about this before but you are so right! How do you put this into practice though? Wouldn’t you agree that the ‘fallen’ preacher’s instinct will be to run off and hide himself from Jesus the way Adam did?

Then again, if you look at a situation like this the way a Board of Elders does, chances are they see themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. Even if their instinct is to show mercy and be gracious they still have to ‘manage’ the world’s perception of the incident because, in a manner of speaking, the name of the Lord has been profaned. If they love Jesus and share his passion for souls they’re looking for a way to keep the lost from refusing to drink the new wine just because the goblet holding it got chipped.

I Love it !!!!

Love lifted me,
LOve lifted me,
When nothing elese could help..
Love lifted me!

Yes.Jesus is the answer!
Like the prodigal son who left the father, but was restored because once a son always a son!

Because so many think that Christianity in America is so superficial that preachers are preaching hard messages saying that broad is the road to hell and narrow and difficult is the way to heaven.Jesus is the narrow way!

This go against the new covenant teachings of Paul.Reading 1 and 2 Corinthians tells us that Paul never doubt their identity as saints and the righteouness of God in Christ.He corrected and rebuked their behaviour.
1 Cor 6:5 But he never threaten them of hell or losing their salvation.

The Grace of God teaches us to deny ungodliness and sin shall have no dominion over us because we are not under law but under grace.Tit 2:11-12,
Rom 6:14.

Understanding the difference between the new and the old covenant is vital in knowing our assurance and position before God.Right believing will produce right living!Grace teaches us total dependency on God and not ourselves to produce fruit.

Agape,
Jeff

HI PETER this is so serious.pastors must realize they have a great responsibility to the people and God.even the Bible says so . teachers are judged more.pastors must realize thereis more to this then standing in front of people and they are listing to you.the PRIDE CAN COME THEN .IT SEEMS TO ME WE LISTEN MORE TO PEOPLE THEN THE holy spirit. blessing in christ . DON.H.

I agree wholeheartedly with Peter. Too long the church has turned to ‘professional counselors’ instead of our everlasting healer and comforter - Jesus. Perhaps this is why we as the church are so messed up many times. Reliance upon wordly measures does not effect an everlasting change of heart.

Thanks Pastor Peter for the enligtening understanding of fallen Ministers being restored to God by the power of Jesus help and love.

Usually when one sinned, he had fallen into a position of being outside God’s will, and only God can see his heart. Even with true repentance, it still needs time for healing and other people around him to restore him back to his position again. God can use those around him to professionally help him to be restored to the community because so many people were being hurt as he fell.

The Lord can restore, but he also needs encouragement and comfort, as he made amendments with God and those in his community.

One thing that strongly reflects in my mind at the moment is what Jesus said…Mat 9:13 ‘But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice’ I guess, we get so judgemental about sin like sexual sin or moral failure. But what about the sin that we commit in our mind?Though it may be adulterous thought…Jesus said, Mat 5:28 ‘But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ...note the tone of the verse ‘you have already committed adultery’ for which a fallen preacher is being charged of. All failure begin in heart…thats why God said ‘It is a people who go astray in their hearts’ (Psm:95:10. Remember-before we are into action outwardly, we are into action inwardly and God see’s our heart. Before we go astray in our actions, its the astray in the heart… and that is the seat of Holy Spirit. God is more cocerned about heart than action…coz no foul action comes without that indwelling of it in the heart. Jesus further said…Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.‘ My question is when some one can sin so seriously to defile the temple of the Holy Spirit without actually even acting upon it outwardly, how serious the whole issue of sin is. Let us not, be so judgemental only about moral failure in action and condone the filth which is our heart.The bible says, 1Pet.2:11’Sin wages war against soul.‘ every sin whether in heart or in action…wages war against our soul and possess the potential to inflict damage in our soul.

What my friend suggested about the professional counselling sounds good..but scripture doesn’t talk about it. So, I would say, it is a good idea to do so, but remember, couselling may be only a human aspect but we should not forget that is the Blood of Jesus Heb:9:14’thats makes the dead conscience alive to serve the living God’ Please please…if Blood of Jesus doesn’t make the sin infested conscience alive to serve Jesus…than no amount of counselling can do it. A true character doesn’t come by counselling and study of theology but rather God builds it in us through daily battles and trials. Rom:5:3,4..tells us that God builds character in us through tribulations (Gk; thilipsis - a situation where one is crushed like a grapevine). A fallen moral chacracter is rebuilt by God. Nothing makes us a vallaint solder,but the battle itself.

Lets,get back to the grace of God that increases when sin increases and that teaches us to say No to ungodliness…praise the lord!

The essence of the ariticle Peter wrote is true…grace is God’s overcoming power… Hallelujah!
However, it appears to be a cycle that Christian leaders who are ‘at the top’ so to speak of their organization, have no-one that they are accountable to in the ‘Body of Christ’. Godly leaders they have a covenant of love with. Hence,the deception and grief goes on far too long with repercussions that are so destructive for the church as a whole. Our failing never just affects one or two when we are leaders and ministers.
If we truly believe that Jesus is the Answer, then part of that answer will be in His Body… for He is not detached from His body. Long ago, the Lord set into motion accountability in the 5 fold ministry as outlined in the book of Acts and in the Pauline Epistles.

King David is a key example of someone
who was at the top of the leadership chain and thought that he could cover his tracks and still be the anointed King. Thank God there was a prophet THAT GOD SENT (a human being) who David submitted to and was ultimately changed thereby with a wonderful attitude that showed His true heart for God.

All of us are liable to temptation… all of us go off by degrees at a time, and due to pressure we may be oblivious to the danger we have placed ourselves in.. This is why it is KEY we have a weekly contact with a godly spiritually sensitive peer in the ministerial we are involved in… or a board member we trust who will speak into our lives and not be a yes man or woman. Let’s not wait for the disaster before we take hold of grace. Let’s take hold of grace for TODAY and have accountability on a weekly basis.

Greetings Peter Youngren,

I like the article. However I wish you could give real life examples of this teaching from your own life. So many pastors and church leaders are not really open to struggles in their own past and present. Testimonies are needed to bring teaching to the ‘real life’ level.

Blessings to you and family.

Let the fire of God burn in all of our hearts to glorify Jesus.

Andreas Siebert
Scarborough, Ontario

The love to jesus is wounderful

Awesome Peter and soooooo true. Beautiful Jesus is the answer. I have been crushed all week; a couple I love very much just resigned from ministry. Religion always makes us believe that sin before we were saved is forgiven and forgotten, but after we are saved it’s not allowed at all. Jesus restored Peter after he denied him. Peter must have been so hurt and ashamed, but when he seen Jesus he recognized forgiveness and jumped in the water to get to him. I love the part in the bible when Jesus told the girls at the tomb go tell my deciples AND Peter, because he knew Peter needed his presence the most. Jesus said you guys read about me all day long but you won’t come to me. JESUS IS CALLED OUR WONDERFUL COUNCELLOR AND THE PRINCE OF PEACE- pretty hard to beat that!!!!!

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

How would the world would that we are disiples of Jesus christ? by our love for one another John 13:35 why don’t all get along.

Yes, you are 1000% correct. Jesus Christ is the anwer.Professional help is human wisdom, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, ‘He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless. 1 Cor. 3:19-20. If there is any fallen preachers, he or she need to call upon Jesus Christ for help and forgiveness of sin. His blood washes whiter than snow; and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God. 1 Cor.3:23.

Saubaan Salaam

Our Conduct and behaviour depend fundementally upon our inward rest in christ Therefore, why don’t we just rest in his love and what he has done for us then conduct, behaviour will take care of itself Hebrews 4

Have a wonderfull day all

Agree with you, Pastor Youngren

While working on my assignment on Psalm 23, I came across articles on “`Superstar’ pastors pose challenge” and “XX begins spiritual ‘restoration”. The articles were about a Superstar pastor who had “fallen” and the article “predicted” what might happen to the megachurch etc and also getting the “fallen” pastor to undergo some form of reform program which will last from 3 to 5 years.

His “plight” reminded me of David’s adultery and how he being a man greatly used by God, “avoided” God for a time being while indulging in his own pleasure till God intervened by sending someone to “expose” his act– for David’s sake and God’s.

Perhaps God’s intervention for him is for His name’s sake (Ps 23: 3b). This pastor is going through the valley of death now and with God’s supplication, love and guidance, (rod & staff) he will move forward to the tableland. God will provide a way for him if he continues to walk in faith, in the presence of his enemies. Enemies could be from various sources. They could be from the people he knew well – Christians who got disillusions by what he had done, especially he was a Superstar pastor. And I wonder if we learn to walk in Christ-consciousness, we would not adopt that negative attitude. Rather, we should ask God for the fruit of kindness and pray for this pastor. He doesn’t need another “enemy (gossiper etc)” on his “recovery” walk with God. He needs more prayers and supports. If his megachurch members can all adopt that attitude, rather than “breaking up” – which is what the “world” thinks it will happen, it will become a united church which will be a huge encouragement for all the churches. They would have shown all a very good example of what a church should be and probably made a bigger impact for God’s glory, because the world is watching them.

With the continuous refilling of the Holy Spirit (oil), the pastor, we pray will restore his life back to God. His restoration will be another victorious testimony for God and more people will come to know God (Ps 23:6). God restored David and he continued to serve Him. Nothing is impossible for God if its according to His will, purpose and plan for us.

Is sin contagious? The reaction of others (the elder brothers of the prodigal)toward those ‘caught’ in a ‘sin’ is interesting to me. The referral for ‘professional help’ sounds so much like the conclusion of diabotical advice concluding with, ‘....and when you get it right come on back to the fellowship’ Will the Prodigal’s sin spread like an infection in the midst of the ‘prideful purity’church fellowship? M. Scott Pect warns in his book, ‘The People of the Lie,‘ how the group consciousness rationalize murder in ‘righteous’ lanaguage. I have heard people say, ‘We need to disfellowship that person to protect the purity if the church.‘ Such a statement is blashpemy of God’s grace.

We were reared as children dependent upon others for the basic necessities of life. Why should anyone be sent out of the ‘fellowship of God’ to the counsel of humanism ‘to get right?‘

I thought Christian morality was the fruit of a mind and heart transformed by recieving the revelation of the all sufficient sovereignty and mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is not summed up in a prescription of ‘Go see a counselor for 12 sessions and your sins will be forgiven.‘

(For the record,I am a counselor. I am not necessarily bashing the profession. I am just wondering what the church’s responsibiity is toward the ‘fallen’.)

If the “professional help” is from a group of spirit filled, God loving and serving people well it can’t hurt——but the secular counselling has no place in the wonderful grace and restoration we can experience—-alas it often makes the abyss wider. Are we not told if one among us has fallen to restore him gently as being ministers of Christ?
I go further to say that many disease states especially psychological are done a disservice by counselling as opposed to annointing with the balm of the spirit. When are we going to see wellness centres that incorporate spiritual counselling as part of its mandate? The whole man—-body soul and spirit=

Matthew 18:15 deals with this, and the goal is to restore a brother. Now as far as stepping back into the Pulpit I am not sure. I believe it will totally depend on the sin as to weather or not he should ever consider stepping back into the pulpit.

I believe we do a disservice to God and scripture by comparing a preacher or priest to David, Lot and others. Unless I have missed something I have never read of a Priest being allowed to fall into sin and it not be judged. Many lost their lives over their sin, and some lost not only their right and ability to continue as a priest but their family’s right and ability to continue as priest. Example Elihu

That being said, I do believe this is the reason most churches are going astray today. They have taken this office of a preacher and made it normal or as if the preacher is just some simple man.  A preacher is not just another man, and you should be ashamed if you say otherwise. Yes he is a man and capable of sin but, he holds an office where 1 Timothy says that man is to be; Blameless, The Husband of ONE Wife, Vigilant, Sober, of Good Behavior, given to Hospitality, Apt to Teach, Not given to Wine, No Striker, Not Greedy of Filthy Lucre, but patient, not a Brawler, not Covetous; and so on and so on. These standards were never set for a King, a Filthy Nephew, or a Businessman. By tearing down God’s man we can tear down our own standards, and I believe this has happened all across our great country.

It is time we Christians restore the position of Preacher, Pastor and Priest to it proper place. The position is more important than a man, (we have become a respector orf persons), so this means sending him to counseling is not what could be or should be suggested. I find that he should step down and repent and first be restored as a brother and then depending on the sin restored to the pulpit. Tthere are sins where he should never be restored to the pulpit.

I totally agree, a timeout to sort things out is mabye not a bad idea. But the root of the problem is a drift from Jesus towards selfindependence(legalism).
I had a period of timeout, but the thing that set me free totally was GRACE. When a leader spoke Gods grace into my life, I was totally delivered. Both from sin and condemnation.

Keep on preaching the Grace of God!!!