What should happen to pastors who fall to sexual misconduct? Should they return, repentant, to their pulpits within weeks or months – or should they return at all.
Around the world sexual misconduct is knocking ministers from their ministry. As the numbers grow it is crucial to know what should happen to them – for their good and for the good of the Church. Should they return, repentant, to their pulpits within weeks or months – or should they return at all?
Endorsements
"This is a pastoral letter from a sinner to sinners, composed with gracious humility. Above all The Stain that Stays is biblical. John Armstrong has done his homework. It deserves a wide reading by pastors, denomination leaders, church elders, and all who love the church."
R. Kent Hughes Visiting Professor of Pastoral Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
'The lack of serious self-criticism and sustained biblical analysis on this issue plagues the Christian house. This book by John Armstrong takes a sober look at this problem and endeavours to shake us into something radical - that is to engage the Bible obediently.'
Tom Nettles Senior Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
"Armstrong has considered the issue in Biblical, theological, and historical terms. He has left no stone unturned and yet he has thrown no stones at fallen brothers. The book reflects a properly pastoral tone and a broken heart."
R. Albert Mohler President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
'As the epidemic of moral failure among church leaders shows signs of worsening, the church must carefully re-examine some hard questions in the clear light of scripture. John Armstrong has done this, and here he offers a thoughtful, biblical response - surely the finest book to date on this difficult subject.'
John MacArthur Chancellor Emeritus, The Master’s University and Seminary and Pastor–Teacher, Grace Community Church, Sun Valley, California
"This book is a needed corrective to the growing trend to restore fallen ministers into pastoral leadership. Whether one agrees with all John Armstrong's conclusions, he makes a case that desperately needs to be heard."
'Eschewing both legalism and apathy, Armstrong points a biblical way forward to protecting God's sheep and recovering fallen shepherds...he has provided us with an extremely valuable, wise and balanced discussion.'
Michael Horton J. Gresham Machen Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics, Westminster Seminary California, Escondido, California
This book is a sensitive well thought through response to this ever increasing problem facing the church. Armstrong takes a biblical approach along with giving the reader a few different positions to examine. This is a great resource for all church leaders and for those who have fallen.
John H. Armstrong, president of Reformation & Revival Ministries since 1991, serves the church in a variety of ways - among them speaking at conferences, pastoral care, teaching resources, book, He was a pastor for twenty-one years, the last sixteen at Trinity Baptist Church, Wheaton. John and his wife, Anita and have two adult children and one grandchild. He lives in Carol Stream, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
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