Can Christ Restore?

Last week, candidate for President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Willy Rice, announced he is no longer vying for the role. Reverend Rice has been pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, FL, since 2004. Controversy arose around his candidacy for the top position in the SBC echelon when someone publicized his church ordained a man to the office of deacon who had an abusive past.

Specifically, this man, Jeff Ford, is accused of having committed abuse 17-years-ago. As a coach and teacher at a local school, Ford had an illicit relationship with an 18-year-old student. He has since confessed, repented, and sought forgiveness. Years later, those who interviewed him for the office of deacon at Calvary Church knew his past, his repentance, and his character at that time.

Over the past few weeks, all of this crumbled. Leaders removed Ford from ecclesiastical office, and Rice revoked his own candidacy. And we need to ask, was all this necessary?

Granted, the SBC, like several other denominations, is trying to recover from poorly handled allegations of sexual abuse and has taken good steps in the right direction. In response, last year, however, the Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution banning those with a history of abuse from leadership.

I cannot comment on the situation with Mr. Ford and whether it was appropriate to ordain him as a deacon. It may not have been. However, I believe a blanket ban on anyone with a history of abuse is an over-correction because it adds to the biblical standards for officers and denies the nature of Christ’s work of restoration.

The Apostle Paul, who had a history of abuse, declared the standards for church officers in 1 Timothy 2 and 3. First, officeholders must be men (1 Timothy 2:12). Second, they must demonstrate godly character (1 Timothy 3:1-13). The men who serve as officers in Christ’s church must have godly character personally, in their families, and in the public square. They are to be men “above reproach,” but that doesn’t mean sinless or never needing to repent. Our officers should be models of godliness, especially modeling repentance when they sin.

As we think about holding office in the church, we must also consider the nature of Christ’s restoration. Through Christ, a man like Moses could commit murder and yet find restoration to leadership. David could commit murder and adultery but find redemption and reconciliation through Christ. Paul, as a non-believer, was responsible for the persecution and imprisonment of many men and women (Acts 8:1-3). And yet, Christ subsequently ordained him to the office of apostle (Acts 9:1-9). Peter, who denied Christ three times, was beautifully restored to office in John 21:15-19.

I don’t intend to minimize any form of abuse. But we must not minimize Christ’s restoration, either. An ongoing abusive relationship, or any scandalous sin, disqualifies a man from office. Perhaps, a man might commit such egregious abuse that he should never hold office. We must work through these things case-by-case, not in a blanket fashion, always looking to the honor of Christ and his Word as our standard.