EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Jim Eschenbrenner

308 N Waugh St

Hedrick, Iowa    52563-9423

Email: jimesch@gmail.com

Phone: 641.799.0010

Toll Free: 877.443.8195

ABOVE REPROACH

It happened again. Not in CU so don't try to imagine who this is. You don't know him, I do. And I was shocked to learn this Sunday he will announce his resignation because of adultery. A long running affair with someone within his church, someone whose husband and kids are devastated. That whole family was almost as involved as the pastor; serving in the choir, teaching Sunday School, leading the Pioneer Club.

Two families lives shattered. And it's an incredible waste of God's resources. I'm grieved and, I'll admit, angry. Didn't that pastor have any idea the kind of consequences he would bring on himself, his family, her family and the whole church not to mention the black eye on the Kingdom?

Do I have high expectations of pastors? Yes. And I hope they have the same high expectations of me.

As Christian leaders, we need to be above reproach. Paul wrote, "Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence." (1 Cor. 10:12 MSG)

I've collected copies of moral integrity standards from 5 churches including Willowcreek, Saddleback, and Christ Community. Here is a set of standards I think you and your church should consider:

1 - Under no conditions should you visit the opposite sex alone at home no matter how old, young or sick they might be.

2 - Do not counsel the opposite sex alone or behind closed doors even at church. Make sure someone else is present even if its on the other side of a window. Avoid counseling the opposite sex more than once without that person's mate. Refer them.

3 - Never discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling. Refer them.

4 - Completely avoid any discussion of your marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex. (This is like holding a stick of dynamite with a burning fuse.)

5 - Always be extremely careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards, or letters from the opposite sex.

6 - Your secretary, if you have one, should be your protective ally but not your confidant.

7 - Never go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.*

8 - Always avoid having the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you.*

9 - Do not kiss any attender of the opposite sex or show affection that could be questioned.*

* The last three do not apply to those who are unmarried.

"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.? (Eph. 5:3 NIV)