Comments on: The Pastor, The Affair and Social Networks

By: Valerie Johnson

Valerie Johnson — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:51:48 +0000

Hello Coram, Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I was unaware that the name appeared in the browser window. It is a result of using the name in my search engine optimization for people who were doing a specific search. I had no idea it would appear in the browser.

By: Coram Deo

Coram Deo — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:32:27 +0000

Greetings,

I don’t mean this in an accusatory way, and perhaps you simply titled your piece before you finished writing, or perhaps you thought better of “naming names” during the edit process, but the title of your piece identfies the pastor that you decline to identify in the body of your post – at least it does so in my browser window.

This being said your intent is clearly noble and charitable, therefore I want to reiterate that I’m not crying “foul”, rather I’m just making an observation.

In Christ,
CD

By: Valerie Johnson

Valerie Johnson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:59:03 +0000

@Kathy, thanks for your comments and insight. Unfortunately, when our egos, emotions and libidos get in the way, we don’t think before we act. Usually the only thing we think is that we won’t get caught.

@ Dawn, I’m glad you are able to get so me closure. I also read quite a few blog posts about this situation. Some were positive posts that promote forgiveness and prayer for the pastor and his family. Others bordered on cruel and were quite condemning.

One of the things I wish I had put in the post is to pray for the woman involved and her family. I don’t know who pursued whom, but I do know that two families have been devastated and for some reason people are not usually forgiving of “the other woman.” Her husband, children (if she has any), parents and in-laws are affected by this as well.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:27:16 +0000

These are the best posts I have seen about the whole situation. I have experience with this church and that pastor. We watched him go from a driven, Godly man into a narcissistic ego-maniac. I believe this transition was partly due to the internet exposure which comes wholly from Satan’s power to steal and destroy. I know that I have spent entirely too much time on this issue thereby falling into Satan’s trap myself. As for me, thanks to both of your posts I now have closure. I too will continue to pray for ALL involved, especially his sweet wife and children.

By: Kathy | Virtual Impax

Kathy | Virtual Impax — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 11:55:23 +0000

There’s a saying that goes, “Christians aren’t any different – they’re just forgiven.”

If there’s a married man or woman out there who hasn’t been tempted to “stray” – well, then you haven’t been married very long or you’ve been in a coma.

He made a mistake and unfortunately, because of his very public profile his mistake is now very public.

The social networking sword cuts two ways. It can be a powerful tool to share the Gospel – and it can be equally powerful in spreading the news of a shepherd’s fall.

Unfortunately, because this pastor chose the internet to spread the Gospel – his “shame” will be gossip fodder for YEARS to come. The Tweets, the blog posts, the rumors and stories – all will live for YEARS to come via the internet.

I just navigated away from a comment I was composing on another blog – I left without posting the comment. See, the words I write here – and elsewhere – will live on for years to come.

I tell my kids to try to live a life where they won’t be ashamed if what they say – what they write and what they do will become public knowledge. As Christians, we’re held to a higher standard… not because we’re different – but because we belong to Him. The world is watching – and when we’re online – we’re leaving footprints where we go.

I wish this pastor had thought this through BEFORE he did what he did. Then again – that’s what sin does. It disconnects us from the Holy Spirit and we discover how bad our “natural” judgment can be!!!