Photo by Jonathan Borba
“It is easy to acknowledge, but almost impossible to realize for long, that we are mirrors whose brightness, if we are bright, is wholly derived from the sun that shines upon us.” ― The Four Loves.
What is a paraphilia? Isn’t it just another sin?
I have used this blog to expose pedophiles in the broader Protestant church. However, my goal in writing has little to do with exposing “one more pedophile.” There always seems to be more than one more pedophile. I have hoped that the reader will understand the complicated topic of paraphilias. Comprehending the difficulties inherent in such behavior is essential to protecting you and your family.
Here is a link at the National Institutes of Health: Paraphilia by Kristy A. Fisher and Raman Marwaha that explains this.
Paraphilias are persistent and recurrent sexual interests, urges, fantasies, or behaviors of marked intensity involving objects, activities, or even situations that are atypical in nature. Although not innately pathological, a paraphilic disorder can evolve if paraphilia invokes harm, distress, or functional impairment on the lives of the affected individual or others.
…The DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for paraphilia states explicitly that the patient must have experienced intense and recurrent sexual arousal from deviant fantasies for at least six months and must have acted on these impulses. A paraphilia becomes a pathology, or a paraphilic disorder, only when this behavior causes significant distress and impairment of functioning to the individual or if the paraphilia involves personal harm or risk of harm to others
…However, due to the patient’s reluctance to seek treatment or the legal obligation to obtain treatment, psychiatrists are often forced to exceed the call of duty to the patient to reduce distress but rather focus efforts on protection against potential victimization.
Those with paraphilia are often reluctant to seek treatment. Even when they do, the counselor must focus on preventing harm to another victim.
Read the section called Prognosis. It appears that those with paraphilias are likely to reoffend.
Despite the psychological and pharmacological interventions designed to manage paraphilias and paraphilic disorders; an ultimate treatment or change has yet to be established. Existing interventions merely allow for increased voluntary control through self-management skills over sexual arousal and reduction in sexual drive, with the best-yielded prognosis only from those individuals who are actually motivated to change.[2] Those who do participate in either therapy alone or, ideally, the combined management of psychological and medicinal intervention show improvement with a marked reduction in the intensity and frequency of deviant sexual arousal and resultant behaviors.[18] However, the literature suggests that most sexual offenders are likely to re-offend.[2]
Takeaway point: Literature suggests that most sexual offenders will reoffend.
The fallacy: They repented, God forgave them, and they no longer have this problem, especially if demons have been expelled.
Sadly, many people have been fed a bunch of confusing lies. I’m sure some repent. However, there is no guarantee that when they do, their paraphilia is cured. If one reads the literature on paraphilia, one will find a long and sad history of pedophiles in the pulpit and in every phase of society. The church has not guaranteed cures for this dangerous problem. The point is relatively straightforward. Someone may wish to repent. God may forgive them, but they still battle with this thorn in their side, which is a painful and permanent part of their life. Some probably commit to never reoffending, but the urge is still present. Many do not seek long-term supportive care, and even those who do will reoffend.
Therefore, it is in the best interest of the community to help them stay away from children or the age group they prefer in their sexual crimes. Yes, folks, this is a crime. Police should be involved if there is any indication that they have a victim(s.)
Takeaway point: Maybe God has forgiven them. I don’t know. Maybe they have repented. Only God knows. Many will still reoffend. Be prepared for it.
The fallacy: My preacher is fantastic. I have grown as a Christian, and my kids love him. Therefore, my pastor has put this paraphilia behind him. I know he walks in purity.
First of all, you, as an individual, have no idea of the activities of your pastor 24/7. Those with paraphilias are usually charismatic. That is how they attract their victims. It is also how they groom parents and the congregation. I know this is hard for most people to understand.
In the case of Providence Baptist Church, my former church, a seminary student from Southeast Baptist Theological Seminary, molested untold numbers of young teen boys. Doug Goodrich was a charismatic individual. The parents loved him so much that they took him on vacations with the family, sadly increasing the amount of time their child was molested. When the church received a report of him getting boys to run around a camp, pulling down their pants, the pastors laughed it off, calling it typical boys behavior. Except it wasn’t. His abuse is some of the worst I have heard in 15 years. Yet, amazingly, mothers came to his trial, sitting on the side of the molester, not the side of the boys who were harmed. They were so deeply groomed that they asked the judge to release him into their care, and they would help him. Thankfully, the judge knew what was going on. I have heard such stories repeated repeatedly in these past 15 years. I shook my head at those parents and went out into the world to figure out what was happening.
Takeaway point: The congregation can be groomed along with the victim. No one knows if their pastor is living a lie. If you think you know how wonderful he is at all times, you are probably a victim of grooming.
Three current examples of pastors with abnormal and criminal behavior with a young person.
1. Jonathan Elwing: The police suspected they would find more, and they did
On 6/26/24, I wrote The SBC, Tom Ascol, the Founders, and the Conservative Baptist Network Question the Need for Sex Offenders Database. Then There Was Jonathan Elwing Who Also Agreed With Them…He was found with child porn images on his phone. The children were aged 4-12. The authorities took this pastor to jail, believing they would find more. Folks, stop and think about that. The authorities sensed they would find more, and they did. The Christian Post: Florida pastor charged with sexually abusing kids as young as 2, faces 18 felony counts.
A forensic search of Elwing’s cell phone found images of him sexually battering a child and the production and possession of 12 images of child pornography, reports the Sarasota-based WWSB ABC 7
They found out more about this monster. Or do you think he is not a monster? His parishioners had no idea. Some still can’t believe it.
“I can’t stress this enough, this is a monster,” Sheriff Rick Wells said during a press conference. “He went into that church professing to be a man of God. But really, he is nothing more than a liar and a sexual predator.”
“He would abuse anyone at anytime,” Wells added. “There doesn’t seem to be a limit to what he is capable of.”
Police say one of the photos shows Elwing abusing a 2-year-old, according to WWSB. Authorities also say they found eight to 10 hidden cameras in his home and his church office.
Takeaway point: This man is a criminal who sexually abused a 2-year-old and filmed himself doing it. He probably has done this for a very long time. The people of his church and the Founders and Conservative Baptist Network liked this guy. They didn’t know about his background either. So what makes you think you know your pastor is “walking in purity?’
2. Donald Logan: The elders didn’t think they should tell everybody about their beloved pastor’s time in prison for harming a 14-year-old.
On 5/30/24, I wrote {Update 5.30.24} Don Logan, Pastor of Eternal Church, SC, Is a Convicted Felon For Sexual Misconduct With a Minor. The Elders Say He Is “Above Reproach.” I Disagree.
Don is the teaching pastor of Eternal Church, a reformed yet nondenominational church with no ties to the SBC or the PCA. By all accounts, he is a charismatic teacher and well-loved by his congregation. He and the church are tied to the ForCLT (Charlotte, NC.) and are part of the Fort Mill Network under that organization. Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina, and its network encompasses the Fort Mill area in South Carolina. Logan and his church are also tied to His Church Our City (HCOC), specifically for Fort Mill, SC.
Logan was convicted of sexual abuse of a minor (we believe the age range is 14-16), for which he served three years in prison.
Everyone loves this charismatic leader who is a great teacher. What did I tell you about paraphiliacs? It is abnormal for any adult to have a sexual interest in a minor. It means something is wrong, and intelligent people who aren’t fooled by likable, good teachers know they can be likable AND dangerous.
Here is an elder who appears to have been effectively groomed. He likens the molestation of an underage girl to being sure that Logan is never in the room alone with a female. He doesn’t seem to understand that the victim’s age is the key.
Since this event 27 years ago, Don has taken careful steps to safeguard himself including disclosure with elders and pastors on staff and never meeting privately with a female.Others, including his wife, have confirmed all of this as well.
Though this event was so long ago, Don still experiences great regret. His desire, and ours as church leaders, is to live in the present reality of who he is now. This current inquiry has been difficult for his family, one in which they take seriously.
As church leaders, we want you to know we have no concerns and stand by Don, having known about his past and with confidence knowing who he is now. We feel he has handled himself with great care and integrity since that event.
In fact, the pastor had a good sermon in which he said that it is Satan and his demons who bring up past sins. Note: he calls it a simple sin. It is not. It was abnormal for him to molest an underage girl when he was quite capable of finding a woman of consensual age to have sex with him. But, then again, he probably doesn’t like women of consensual age.
Takeaway point: It is possible that Logan will reoffend. No one follows him 24/7. He should not be a pastor, and the elders should ensure that there are no kids near this man. He may have repented, and God may have forgiven him, but he sure wanted to be the lead pastor. Humility? Hmm, you decide.
3. Robert Morris
I will assume the reader knows about this situation. Morris had a sexual interest in Cindy Cleminshire starting when she was 12 and then molested her over 4 1/2 years. This was not a one-time event, even though a one-time event is still a crime. This behavior was well-developed and occurred while he pretended to be a loyal husband and father. It is not normal for a man to have a sexual interest in a 12-year-old girl. Those who know him believe that a demon was involved and is now expelled as if anyone can really know that. Morris has focused on demons during his pastorate, even going so far as to say that the Apostle Paul had a demon. I wrote about this in 2014: ARC’s Robert Morris: Paul Preached “Under the Influence.” Could this be a way of grooming his church? How about his interest in generational incidents that cause descendants to do bad things?
Again, most people don’t know Morris and what he does in his off time. How does one know that he is “walking in purity?” You don’t, and that is how he deceives you. We know from the NIH that sexual offenders are likely to reoffend. I believe that is possible with Morris.
Takeaway point: Morris taught his people to believe that demons cause people to do things like sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl. He is in the “devil made me do it” mode. I will listen to those who study these things and believe it is possible that Morris will re-offend or has reoffended. Time will tell. I will revisit this prediction in the future.
Finally,
I write to tell the stories of those victimized by pastors and church leaders. I also write to educate Christians about the horrific number of pastors who abuse. When I started blogging, I thought there was little chance I would see anything as wrong as I saw in my Baptist church. I was wrong. Really, wrong, and my heart breaks for the church, which often turns its back on the victims and instead builds up the pastor abuser. Church: it’s time to grow up and realize that the evangelical church has allowed this problem to fester, all in the name of protecting the church. We got it wrong. Jesus protects His church. We are supposed to care for our victims. Stay tuned. There is more to come.
The first one, Jonathan Elwing, does seem very egregious, and very much like someone using their position to actually give them opportunity to abuse.
The second, Don, is a case in which he was convicted of a crime, and PAID the penalty of it. And it appears he has not re-offended, and not only that, but also has put in place safeguards to prevent temptation. But, apparently, the author of this article feels the know better than God, because while God does forgive and redeem people, the author doesn’t really believe that can happen.
The 3rd case, Robert Morris, I think the jury is out on that TBH. If it was ONE case, decades ago, and he truly repented, then maybe the benefit of the doubt is in order. However, if we find more cases after that, then it would seem to lump him in with Jonathan.
I think everyone would do well to remember, that we were ALL wretched, only saved by grace of God. This is not give a free pass to child abuse, certainly not. However, let’s not elevate mental health and medical science above the power of God. God can certainly free people from their addictions and chains. But, based on what I see written, that isn’t really believe.
CoolViper777(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
CoolViper777,
Oops, you forgot the part about, “We don’t know what goes on with our pastors 24/7.”
Regarding science: Pilots, surgeons, pediatricians, and teachers, for example, are properly trained in the sciences of their careers, then licensed, with protocols for being able to serve. Faith in God doesn’t supersede or interfere with those sciences, licensures, and protocols.
Pedophiles have to register as sex offenders due to the science behind pedophilia.
There is science regarding addictions. Alcoholics acknowledge that just one drink won’t work. So they control their access … with no access.
Pastors generally have trust and access. Restoration of a pastor indicates restored trust and access.
Boundaries, and only boundaries (not background checks) prevent predators (often incognito) from violating the innocent which become a predator’s prey.
Have predators found their perfect career to endlessly reoffend with restoration, as pastors?
Ava Aaronson(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
I’m a survivor of decades long sexual abuse from infancy until age 28 and have been an RN for the last 14 years. Something I’ve learned through my personal and professional experiences, is that addiction is addiction is addition. It doesn’t matter what the addiction involves-chemical dependency, behavioral (ex: gambling, thrill-seeking, certain eating disorders), emotional/psychological (ex: certain drug dependencies), etc.-once it does develop and the brain changes how it processes stress/pleasure that person will have one of three outcomes: 1) addict never achieving remission, 2) recovering addict w/addiction in remission, or 3) recovering addiction w/relapse. With the right support, anyone can achieve remission from whatever they’ve become addicted. The reality is that addiction changes how our brains function which is why any addict who believes they’ve been “cured” is deceiving themselves and on the way to a relapse. Those with paraphilic disorders almost always relapse bc they live their lives in denial and based on lies. The rare cases that do achieve remission and don’t reoffended are almost 100% hands down minors who received appropriate mental health, emotional, and social support and counseling. Such success is just not seen in the adult population.
Kati(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
One case, decades ago? 4.5 years of steady predatory behavior. Once case, still makes it a crime. It is a crime that society never had the opportunity to deal with in a court of law.
So “he repented” means the victim is ghosted from the necessary conversation.
The majority of pedophiles, re-offend. In this day, the pedophilia may continue in the form of possession of child porn, which in most cases, is distributed within networks of pedophiles. Legally, this is called “possession with intent”.
tammy swofford(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
CoolViper777,
Not cool. You obviously didn’t get the point of this post. No one ( and as an atheist, I mean not even your doG) can know what another person is doing.
nmgirl(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
So, you know better than everyone that he has not reoffended. Hmmmm.
dee(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
I think you’re right Ava.
I think the ‘churches’ have only loose boundaries (if any), and fluid access permissions which make it easy for predators to go on safari (so to speak).
Stuff that would not be tolerated in the secular world, especially when it comes to the safety and protection of kids.
Muff Potter(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
CoolViper777,
You do not seem to understand the point of the post. You have no idea what these men have done. You take their words at face value. That is dangerous when it comes to predators, a point I made in the post and one you didn’t take the time to consider.
I have put all of your comments in moderation. That means I may approve them if you can show that you understand the post’s essential points.
Also, if you took the time to get to know me, you would understand how much I value God’s views on protecting those who are vulnerable, which we see throughout Scripture.
You are new, and I will take that into consideration. One thing I do know a lot about is predatory behavior, and I have spent a long time gaining that knowledge. So, sarcastic comments about me thinking I know more than God show you have not taken the time to learn about the history of this blog and the people who frequent this venue. You are gratuitous and uninformed in your sarcasm. I enjoy some sarcasm, but it should be well-informed.
So, for now, your comments will eventually be approved if they demonstrate that you have taken the time to ingest the points.
I find vipers decidedly uncool.
dee(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
CoolViper777,
Don, is a case in which he was convicted of a crime, and PAID the penalty of it. And it appears he has not re-offended
So, if a convicted arsonist had PAID the penalty of it, you would invite him to a 4th of July BBQ and fireworks display at your house, as long as it (ahem) ‘appeared’ that he had not reoffended?
I think everyone would do well to remember, that we were ALL wretched,
But, we are not all sexual abusers of teenagers. We are not all convicted felons who have served time for abusing teenagers.
Nancy2(aka Kevlar)(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
I am a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse with a Masters degree. I have worked for most of my career until five years ago in forensic mental health settings in Australia and New Zealand. The unit in New Zealand housed sexual offenders and individuals with deviant Paraphilia. We utilised a specialised service to help with treating these individuals. The results of intensive treatment was at best a small reduction in risk. Most retained their deviant thought processes and continued to present a high risk of reoffending.
Some of our patients regularly attended the church service run in the chapel. I don’t know if any repented, but even if they had, I believe that they still presented a risk that needed to be carefully managed.
Grahame Gee(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
To balance things out…
I think everyone would do well to remember that Jesus cussing up a storm at religious leaders, NOT AT the poor and the weak. He used very very salty language aim specifically the religious leaders.
Need to consider the whole counsel of the Bible, no cherry picking.
Sore-Sweet Dayes(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
A number of years ago my church tried to help a very repentant man with a “I promise it will never happen again” porn addiction. He had an app on his phone and laptop, an accountability group, and a “responsibility” partner. He was welcomed into our congregation with open arms and hired by our local Christian school as a teacher. A month into his job, they found him looking at porn at work on a school computer. He was fired, the church put him on discipline, and he later left.
I often wonder what would have happened if we as a church had been more cautious instead of all the public attention regarding this man’s supposed cure. True addicts are always prone to relapse they need serious handling and constant monitoring, not applause from the congregation for their quick cure.
Most businesses won’t allow someone with a history of armed robbery to handle the cash and checks. Churches should be as careful regarding who is in the pulpit.
Linn(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Sin leveling at its finest!
He is a sinner because he abused a 12yo sexually for years, you’re a sinner for being grumpy with your kids, I’m a sinner because I was born in original sin. So we’re all the same.
Never mind that one is a horrible crime!
Gus(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Don Logan started his first sermon after being exposed by this blog with the following statement (June 23, 2024):
“Good morning, church. Do you ever have those dreams where like, uh, as a kid you go to school naked and everybody’s clothed and everybody else sees…That’s kind of how I feel when I’m coming to church this morning. Uh, and God helped me, and He said ‘No, no, Don, they’re naked too! You just don’t SEE them.’ And so let’s read our Scripture today — the holy Word of God from an unholy man.”
This church is guilty of SIN LEVELING. You also see it in their qualifications for elders at their website. God requires elders to have a “good reputation with outsiders.” 1 Tim. 3:7. And church leaders, especially those who teach, are held to a higher standard. The words of Jesus in Matthew 18 are in the context of church leadership. The “millstone narrative” and the abuse of “little ones” deserves harsh judgment. SA of a 14 year old by a 30 year old minister of the gospel is an especially heinous sin. Unfortunately, Don Logan is a “marked man.” Jesus does not want an “unholy man” like Don Logan to be leading His church.
A good friend of mine is an elder at Eternal Church. I have shared my concerns with him, and it has caused division in our relationship. Sorry for my shouting, but HAVING A REGISTERED CHILD SEX OFFENDER AS YOUR PASTOR IS UNACCEPTABLE. It brings dishonor to the body of Christ and is church-dividing.
Dale Rudiger(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Church as Hunting Ground.
Predators welcome. Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection provide the Get Out of Jail Free Card for full access and acceptance for predatory offenders, in some theologies and churches.
“Come to church where you can serve, lead, and socialize as if nothing ever happened.”
Evangelicalism is the Gospel’s Good News for predatory offenders, providing full social access to unlimited opportunities with all ages in the “Family” of God.
In a community group of Christian families, while socializing, a older teen boy was physically overpowering the little ones: tripping, shoving, etc. A family asked that the older boy play with the boys of his own age and size. The Christian group leadership kicked that requesting family out of the group, for suggesting that the older boy have supervision with limited access to the younger ones. A few months later, that older boy gouged out an eye of his little younger brother, during unsupervised play. Full access without supervision for a predatory abusive teen resulted in a targeted younger boy losing an eye.
Full social access, as if nothing is going on and nothing bad will ever happen, never reforms a predatory offender. Rather, the vulnerable are targeted and violated by that very offender, within that full social access group.
Provide access and opportunities to a predatory offender? Then expect the vulnerable to be violated. Count on it.
Offer beer to an alcoholic? They will go off the wagon on a bender.
For an addict, access is key.
Ava Aaronson(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Dale Rudiger,
And, it is a public safety issue!
As Dee clearly points out, no matter what you call it, being a pedo is a significant, “non-normal” behavior with SERIOUS consequences to the victim, and the data shows that is rarely “cured”. Why would one put a person in leadership, around potential victims, with this kind of “problem”? We are supposed to not let alcoholic pilots fly commercial airlines, why? PUBLIC SAFETY…. Apparently these churches do not really care about their children…. Just like the leadership in the RCC…. “Protecting” the church more important than protecting children….. disgusting…
Jeffrey Chalmers(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood’s research reveals that all sexual predation begins as a fantasy, a dream, ideation, projecting.
We hear of Christian leaders having porn habits, perhaps addictions. They are feeding that fantasy.
Ava Aaronson(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
CoolViper777,
Don Logan did not register as a sex offender in SC until news of his felony began to leak. For nearly a DECADE, courtesy of naive or complicit elders, Logan was not a registered sex offender AND was given a position of spiritual power and authority without the church or community’s awareness of his felony.
He was required to register and yet he positioned himself as a trusted leader – while living a lie.
This is not a man who is above reproach.
This is a man who believes himself to be above the law. This is a man who frequently “hears the voice of God “ to manipulate and groom the congregation. This is a man who had unfettered access to minors in his neighborhood, workplace, and online because he did not register as a sex offender.
Bottom line. Logan deceived the community of Fort Mill. Eternal Church risked the entire safely of the community and church by hiring a convicted felon and by hiding his dark secret.
Grace(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Then “men of God” need to stop acting like they are still totally depraved. All three of the pastors noted here committed their sex crimes against children after they were “saved by grace.”
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Oh, he’s hearing a voice alright … but it ain’t Holy.
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
This is insightful and helpful! Thank you!
I would add an additional myth that fuels church trust in predators:
Sin levelling – We have all sinned. And all sin is equally damning.
This error arose in the 80s and 90s. It was a lazy apologetic response to the objection, “Why would God send both a murderer and a liar to hell?”
It is lazy because it misunderstands sin and is completely false on its face (and scripturally).
Sin is rebellion against God. So, yes , we’ve all rebelled, but that doesn’t mean our rebellions are equal.
There are CLEARLY different levels of sin. Jesus asked Pilot, “whose sin is the greater?”
I’ve been in ministry for two decades and I still have conversations with Christians who say, “all sin is equal.” When Christians believe this falsehood, it is easy to see how they accept the predator, amplify their own sins and minimize the pastor’s crimes.
i.e. “Well, when I was in high school I got super drunk, destroyed my friend’s house and cursed out my parents, so I guess Bob sleeping with a young lady is no different.”
Nathan James Norman(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Interesting protests and goings on at Abundant Life church in Springfield Mo.
linda(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Sinleveling is a chronic problem in the church. Some claim there is no difference between cussing at another driver and killing someone. This is due to a misunderstanding. All sin separates us from God. Not all sin is the same. People don’t know how to read their Bible.
dee(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Private Revelation direct from God Himself?
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Don’t forget PIOUS and SPIRITUAL.
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
“AND GOD HATES SIN WITH SUCH A PERFECT HATRED…”
— tract that messed up my head back in the Seventies
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Maybe Elwing and Josh Duggar could be cellmates; they could jack each other off reminiscing about their Appetites and Conquests.
DEMONS and WITCHES in every closet and under every bed, just like Greg Locke!
And these DEMONS Prove Pastor Pedo is TRULE a Might ManaGAWD; so Godly SATAN himself singles him out for Special PERSECUTION! And only the presence of such a Mighty ManaGAWD can protect his sheeple from SATAN! And his DEMONS! “PASTOR PEDO, PROTECT US WITH THY PRESENCE!”
AKA a RL Humbert from Lolita.
Textbook Geraldine Defense — “THE DEBBIL MADE ME DO IT!”
Once again, “DEMONS DEMONS DEMONS! SHEEKA-BOOM-BAH!! BAM!!!”
Morris-Humbert really has to team up with the guy who wrote Malleus Maleficarum.
Now imagine a CHRISTIAN Nation where these guys have Power of Life and Death over us all by Divine Right.
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
CoolViper777,
Just because you can be forgiven does not mean you won’t reoffend. It is common knowledge that people that struggle with this issue have a very high likelihood of reoffending, even if they are a Christian. They also tend to be master manipulators. If your so confident in their rehabilitation, would you let them babysit your young child? I doubt it. There is a pastor named Jimmy Hinton, that has a lot of youtube video’s on this subject. He pastored a church along with his father would had been a pastor for decades. He found out that his dad had abused his sister as a child as well as others in their church for decades. He turned his dad into the police. His dad is now in prison. Mr Hinton has made it his life’s mission to understand predators and how they manipulate people to gain access to their victims. He has spent years now visiting with his dad in prison. What he has noted is that his dad gives him one story (God is working in his life, he is changing, he is sorry etc…), while at the same time sending letters to Mr. Hinton’s siblings indicating that he was unfairly convicted and that what he did was minor. Mr. Hinton has found that you cannot trust anything that these people say. They will do and say anything to get back in good standing.
Longhorn Fan(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be paid back according to what he has done while in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
According to a survey from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, about 10% of pastors think a child sex offender can return to ministry.
Not sure -7%
Withdraw permanently – 83%
Withdraw for at least 10 years – 2%
Withdraw for at least 5 years – 3%
Withdraw for at least 2 years – 3%
Withdraw for at least a year – 2%
Withdraw for at least 6 months -<1%
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/june/pastor-abuse-permanent-disqualification-ministry-lifeway.html
Dale Rudiger(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
I wonder what portion of the 10% are predator pastors themselves?
Dale Rudiger(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
In my humble but accurate opinion, 100% of pastors surveyed should have checked the “withdraw permanently” box. This is just another indication of how messed up church leadership is in America, when 17% would either return a child sex offender to the pulpit or they were not sure what to do. Jesus knew what to do … remember His millstone warning?
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
The Agape Boarding School in your neck of the woods is also back in the news for child abuse.
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
To truly repent doesn’t one have to honestly “fess up”. He called referred to his victim as a “young lady”. She was 12. So in matters of sex 12 yeas old is an adult?
NC Now(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Kamp Kanakuk is also back in the news:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kanakuk-kamps-sex-abuse-accuser-says-camp-leadership-told-back-reporte-rcna158911
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Speaking of Robert Morris, where is he?!
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Perhaps a measure of the genuineness* of a paraphilia-sufferer’s protestations of repentance is the degree to which his behavior manifests a determination to flee away from future temptations rather than to linger in their vicinity.
(* by “genuineness”, I mean the extent to which the person’s desire to not harm others is stronger than his desire for whatever it is that he gets from gratification of the paraphilia.
If one insists on putting a “biblical framing” on this problem, the language of “bondage” seems appropriate, provided one does not facilely assume that ‘sound doctrine’, ‘confession of faith’, ‘verbalized repentance’, ‘tears of contrition’, etc. are reliable evidences of liberation from the bondage.)
Samuel Conner(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
To “coolviper” theres nothing cool about your arrogance AND your incredible ignorance. Your blind trust can be deadly. Obviously you have no children to protect and if you do i am terrified for them. You are a fool. I suggest all reading this blog get on Jimmy Hintons site. He has hundreds of podcasts of exposing this sin in the church. He exposed his own dad.
abigail(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Probably in Jacksboro at his ranch.
Donna(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
CoolViper777,
He never repented. How do I know?
He lowballed her request for reimbursement for counseling costs and tied it to an NDA.
His “young lady” reference was is a flat out LIE.
Neither of these behaviors speak to “repentence” but instead reveal an attempt to cover up and justify.
These actually added more wrongs to his initial depraved behavior. None of these actions are indicative of any type of repentance.
Whatever sorrow there might be is most likely sorrow that it has now come to light.
Afterburne(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Grace,
Thank you Grace, you added further clarifying information that underscores what a man of character would not do. You clarified those who would object.
Vance(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Max,
Well put.
Vance(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
NC Now,
Similar to, “But officer, I wasn’t really stealing the Corvette. I was just borrowing it for a while.”
Nancy2(aka Kevlar)(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Paid troll for Robert Morris…. I did get the point. And it is a psychotic, out of touch response.
Tamera Swofford(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Too bad that someone does not have access to Robert Morris’ computer. It would be interesting to see if child porn is on there.
There is a video on another site and the interviewer is asking Robert Morris questions about his ministry and asks how old he is, which is 20. It literally makes you shiver knowing he has been sexually abusing Cindy all the while he’s been preaching.
Want to sexually abuse kids? Become a Youth Pastor!
AF(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
How is it possible for insurance companies to provide liability coverage for these churches? I wonder if ins. companies will follow in the footsteps of Meeting House insurance and drop their policies.
Grace(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
They defend their idols to the last breath, fight to the bitter end, until the potato becomes too hot to handle. Cults of personality are hard to break free of; some of these characters can really get mean about defending “Pastor.” I suspect Dee has had her hands full with commenters from Gateway … she’s probably been called every name in the book by this mega-church bunch.
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Max,
Max, I now see why the United Methodist church could move it’s pastors every year to prevent this cult of personality. My church was so small that we either got the beginners on their way up or the near retirees on the way out. And money talks. There was a problem pastor long after I had left town, but my parents and other staunch churchgoers withheld money until the guy was gone.
nmgirl(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
It’s sad, but starving them out is the only way to get rid of some of these bad actors. As TWW commenter Jack likes to say “Stay home next Sunday and save 10%.” Scripture exhorts us to pay a church leader who is “worthy of his hire” (1 Timothy 5:18) … the implication is clear if they are found to be ‘not’ worthy of their hire for whatever reason (child abusers being at the top of the list).
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
However, they should never be passed to another church without church elders doing the right thing … disqualifying them from ministry and reporting crimes to the proper authorities, if that is the case.
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Out of respect for genuine pastors, should we stop putting pastor in front of these criminal’s names? Also, Max is right, stop giving $$$ to them. There is a big difference being worth 2mill vs. 117mill.
Donna(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Indeed, when you live like the church leaders in this blog post, you should be stripped of that sacred title permanently. IMO, it’s way too easy to be a “Pastor” in America … many hold that title, but few are called … there’s a vast difference between “going into ministry” vs. “being called into ministry.”
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Grace, I saw the article over at Roys Report too, about Bruxy Cavey’s Meeting House churches shutting down for lack of insurance coverage. This could become a big story if other insurance companies follow suit.
Ted(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Even the vindow viper?
Muff Potter(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Pure fiction, not all were or are wretched.
A mass murderer is wretched, a jay-walker is not.
Muff Potter(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Ava Aaronson,
That has been the common denominator with the sex offenders in the forensic mental health unit I worked in.
Grahame Gee(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
“Missionay Man, he got GAWD on His Side…”
— Eurythmics, 1984
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Which these days gets mistaken for The Holy Spirit.
The more Psychtoic and Out of Touch, the more Spiritual and Godly.
“The wisdom of Men is foolishness to God” in reverse.
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Christians really like the term “ladies”, don’t they?
I’m reminded of some Christian woemn’s movement of the Eighties or Nineties which was described as “Ladies Against Women”.
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
The movement from the past was “ladies against feminism.” Not the same thing as ladies against women would be. Not all women are feminists. One can be for equal treatment under the law, equal pay, equality in general and reject what might be termed political feminism. I have no idea if that is what “ladies against feminism” stood for or not.
linda(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Love the pic up-top!
The Milky Way is magnificent!
It had to have been taken in an area far from heavy light-pollution.
Muff Potter(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
The spit has started hitting the fan in Fort Mill concerning Don Logan. The “discernment period” and “consulting Scripture” is happening. Better late than never I guess.
https://www.fortmillsun.com/2024/07/02/local-family-shocked-to-discover-their-pastor-is-on-sex-offender-registry/
“Since we entered this season, our church has undergone a discernment period which has involved prayer, quiet reflection, consulting Scripture, open dialogue as a church family, processing as individuals and in groups, and discussion among elders, pastors, and staff,” a church email said. “This discernment is ongoing.”
Dale Rudiger(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Discernment should have happened ‘before’ Mr. Logan was called to be pastor. If the elders knew about his past, then we have another elder-failure … “sexual misconduct with a 14-year old girl” is a permanent disqualifier from ministry … and don’t drag David out again!
As far as “consulting Scripture”, Matthew 18:6 is so appropriate that it is written in red in the New Testament.
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Muff Potter,
Thanks Muff. since I am outside the bubble, I don’t believe in sin. however, I do believe in right and wrong.
nmgirl(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Muff Potter,
And thanks for making me snort my coffee!
nmgirl(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
The American church needs to seriously reconsider its youth ministry model. Putting a 20-something youth “pastor” over young people is an accident waiting to happen. I suppose there are some spiritually mature youth pastors out there, but I never met one in my 70+ years of doing institutional church. They were mostly about entertaining youth so the adults wouldn’t have to put up with them in church … their ministry toolbox included pizza, skating parties, weekend fun events, shallow Bible studies etc. The Biblical model is for senior saints to mentor young people. The first job out of seminary for most pastors is to do a tour of duty as a youth pastor, often unsupervised. The Houston Chronicle chronicled numerous SBC youth pastors who had sexually abused children under their watch.
Max(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Headless Unicorn Guy,
“Lady”, as defined in Merriam-Webster:
1. a woman having proprietary rights or authority especially as a feudal superior
2. a woman receiving the homage or devotion of a knight or lover
3. a woman of superior social position
4. a woman of refinement and gentle manners
I’m not a lady… never have been, never will be…..
definitely not when I was teaching math (grades 7-12) in a Christian school….not when I was sitting in a church pew….. and certainly not even when I was “kitchen team” leader church.
Nancy2(aka Kevlar)(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Dale Rudiger,
Advanced christian obfuscation: ““Since we entered this season, our church has undergone a discernment period which has involved prayer, quiet reflection, consulting Scripture, open dialogue, etc: but not firing him for not being qualified.
nmgirl(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Since someone finally gound out what we have been hiding for a decade,
nmgirl(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
nmgirl,
Blech.
Discernment: the ability to judge well; obtaining spiritual guidance and understanding.
How how much ‘discernment, prayer, and reflection’ does it take to determine whether or not it ‘might have been wrong’ to (1.) hire a convicted felon sex abuser to lead a church, and (the. 2.) hide that fact from the church members????
How would these elders react if they learned that a convicted bank robber was president of their bank, and the board tried to sell them the same drivel?
Nancy2(aka Kevlar)(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
I prefer Snickers or old-school Hershey Dark myself….
R’as al Ghul(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
I think their discernment right now is how to extract that flaming bag of dog poop from their shoe, how to extract themselves from the burning dumpster fire they are in now. And desperately trying to find one of these so they can head for the hills.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyJzUuCmVEM
R’as al Ghul(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Yeah. They closed the stable door after the horse bolted. A day late and a dollar short.
R’as al Ghul(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
R’as al Ghul,
Me toooooo!
Oh! Have you tried the Snickers ice cream bar??
Nancy2(aka Kevlar)(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Yes. Actually, that is one of my standard go-tos for an ice cream snack.
R’as al Ghul(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Until it was redefined as Private Revelations of “Seeing DEMONS and WITCHES in every closet, under every bed, and all after Your Children!”
Headless Unicorn Guy(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Must be because all demons have red glowing eyes, horns, a pitchfork, and a goatee (see my link to the TV trope about that).
R’as al Ghul(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Good for you Cindy. I’m so supportive of you and I do hope that RM will be completely removed from ministry. Years ago I went above the church leadership with one other family and made a police report when a youth pastor was grooming our youth. Our son was 12 and allowed to attend youth functions the summer before being of age. Our denomination suggested they not enter the youth group until September. Thinking back it was the youth pastor who allowed this. The youth pastor would pull down the pants of the 12 year olds as a supposedly joke. Talking to other parents I found out that he would have sleep overs and showed the group pornography. He would spy on them to see their reaction. Out of 15 kids only two families made the report. Some families didn’t want to further embarrass their children and felt the leadership would handle it internally. The district church claimed we didn’t have proof of grooming. The children/teens were not taken at their word. The district superintendent claimed myself and others were gossiping that was tarnishing his reputation. Our pastor talked to each family and child and did see the grooming. He was moved to another church. That was their way of dealing with the youth pastor. That was what prompted me to make a report. I knew then that these predators could easily find their victims in churches. I knew in the future more would be exposed. Accountability needs to be taken.
RoxyGirl(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)