It seems that every five years or so a controversy erupts in our community involving the morality of prominent pastors, especially those who are politically connected. For the pastors and their congregations, accusations of pastoral immorality is a terrain spiked with land mines that if not handled correctly could destroy lives, but certainly the spiritual and political influence of pastors.
In the Spring of 1976, I was elected pastor of the New Tabernacle Baptist Church. I was 26 years old, married, popular, and politically active. An elderly pastor, Rev. S.L. Pierce, had a private session with me before I was installed and gave me some advice that I took to heart.
He said because I was young, nice looking and the pastor of a prominent church, that I would be the target of many females who will be attracted to power figures; some of them will make themselves available sexually.
I told him that I was happily married, but he said that would not deter those bent on trying their luck at bringing down the man of God.
He gave me a set of rules that he said would be good medicine for me.
First, he said, never go anywhere without your wife, she should be your traveling partner to conventions, speaking engagements, revivals, vacations, and business trips.
Second, he said never show any interest in the opposite sex as a pastor, keep it strictly professional. Have no meetings alone with young women behind closed doors and never visit their homes alone. It keeps down gossip.
Thirdly, he said that I should always shake the hands of young women and hug elderly women. However, he warned that I should be careful, even with the elderly women because some of them are cougars. He said, if the elderly are known cougars I should shake their hands as well.
In addition, he said many little girls in the church will hug you as a father figure, but when they begin to sprout in all of the womanly places, shake their hands. He said, if I must hug a sprouting teenager follow the one-second rule; a one-second hug in full public view is sufficient.
Fourth, he said, “Don’t let your eyes convict you.” He said when members march around to give offerings, keep your eyes fixed on one spot and do not let your eyes wander to follow the fine woman with the short dress and bulging bosoms.” Those in the pews will wait to see what you do when she passes and accuse you of lust.
The Reverend Pierce spent most of his life preaching to preachers about morality issues. At one time or another, he was the Bible teacher for the Baptist State Convention and all three of the local Baptist Associations. He warned that immorality can bring down the best pastors and force those who love him as pastor to excuse his actions and dismiss his critics as pastor-haters.
Needless to say, Rev. Pierce was respected but wasn’t very popular. He refused to sugarcoat it. Many guilty pastors tried to skip the Bible lectures he gave at clergy gatherings.
I was a young pastor, surrounded by men like Reverend Pierce who I knew would hold me accountable.
He had one final word of warning. “If the people falsely accuse you of immorality. Do not answer them in any way. God will fight your battle. Don’t preach about your critics or belittle them, God will handle those who touch his anointed. However, you are a man like all other men, if you have been weak, follow David’s rule. David repented and asked God to create in him a clean heart. God and the people forgave him and David is forever remembered as a man after God’s own heart.”
In the course of my public life, I have followed Rev. Pierce’s advice.
It was good medicine for me when I was 26, and it’s still good medicine today.
