Recently, we saw a local pastor, Billy Graham’s
grandson, Tullian Tchividjian, resign from his senior pastoral position because
of an inappropriate sexual relationship.
It is always most unfortunate when an individual has serious moral failures
that limit their ability to function whether as a husband, wife, employee,
pastor or priest.
The Billy Graham rule is that neither Billy Graham nor
any of his associates, would ever meet, eat, or travel with a woman alone.
Billy Graham also established high standards of financial accountability for
his ministry that have been subsequently adopted by over 1,700 Christian
ministries in the United States. In Chapter 3 of 1st Timothy, the
Apostle Paul asks his young disciple and apprentice in ministry, “if a man does
not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church
of God?”
Billy Graham observed his rule as “a strategy to protect
his marriage and to avoid even the appearance of an inappropriate relationship.” In our ministries and churches we should
consider this rule today and similar rules for two reasons:
1) We are called to a higher purpose so we follow a
higher standard
The bible is clear that legalism will never save us. We
have an understanding of grace and as a result don’t recommend a ‘do not touch’
rule for things that are not inherently sinful. However, when we have the privilege of
serving in a leadership capacity in a church, when we seek that role and may
even be compensated for the privilege, we are reminded of Paul’s writing to the
Thessalonians that we are to “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain
from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)
2) We are called to protect the reputation of the Church
Paul reminded Timothy of how people were to
conduct themselves in the church. If
Paul's instructions are true for congregants and members, it is doubly true for those that are
in leadership.
“If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to
conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15
The church is often accused of hypocrisy. Charges of hypocrisy in the midst of scandal
ultimately damage the ministry and effectiveness of the local church and the
Body of Christ. In order to bring
clarity to what is helpful and healthy in the Body of Christ, organizations
need to consider the best way to communicate what are often unwritten policies
that all too often are not known by the junior and less experienced members of
the staff and/or ignored by many.
Here are some questions that would be appropriate for the
leadership of the church or ministry to address:
- Are people of the opposite sex to be alone together? Other than married couples, should people in ministry be meeting behind closed doors, in homes or in counseling sessions then a third-party is not present?
- Do we abstain from all sexual relationships outside the bounds of marriage?
- Do we permit abusive language or other abusive treatment of individuals including children, elders and family members in and outside of the home?
- Do we refrain from all illegal drugs?
- Are we abstaining from all forms of pornography?
- Do we continually strive for unity in all things or do we create dissension within the Church?
- Do we honor all in the church, giving preference to one another.
When we are growing in Christ and becoming more like him,
we may ultimately be able to live without some of the boundaries that may be
appropriate for less mature Christians.
However, none of us are above temptation and all of us should provide an
example to others that keeps them from stumbling.
