Local Pastor Accused

This blog is named "Remarkablog" with the intent that I, Mark, will remark on a variety of subjects and relate it to Christian living. Some posts are humorous, some are random, and others are just down right interesting. Although, I  have the choice of what I wish to blog about, some blogs are difficult and it would be easier to remark on a different subject. Such is the case today.

A senior pastor in our community is facing eight felony charges of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct. The news was aired on television, radio, papers and local media. The pastor is well known in our community. I have known the pastor for over 16 years and consider him a friend. It is with somber sadness that I hear the charges, hoping they are untrue, but fearful that they bear truth.

If the charges are genuine, then the people who trusted this pastor and went to him for help, were not given victory, but victimized.

The area pastors had their monthly meeting this past Tuesday. The news was tearfully shared by the recently retired senior pastor of the church. We gathered around and prayed for the retired pastor, the church's leadership, the church family, the accused pastor's wife and for our community.

The church issued a statement that included, "We ask that if you are aware of any others that may have been abused, you immediately report that to the Isanti County Sheriff’s Department at 763-689-2141.”

Matthew 26:41
41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus did not speak these words after one of the disciples got into a big scandal by wrongful conduct. Jesus gave this charge to his disciples when they were too tired to stay up and pray with Him. It is a good charge for us to not become sleepy and neglect our time with Jesus.

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