One qualification of a Bishop, is that they have a “good report.”

We have determined that to mean that this person should be perfect, without any mistakes, never have committed serious sin or made unchristian mistakes. That indeed is a good report!!

It is honorable to have lived free from the snags of this life and kept oneself pure and clean in all respects. That’s the kind of leaders we want and in most aspects, those are the ones we should have.

David was a man after God’s own heart we are told. Could you say that he had a perfect report, that he had never failed God or made serious mistakes?

We esteem Moses as the mighty leader of Israel and he is also cited as the meekest man that was on the Earth. To say he never failed or always did everything right would simply not be true.

In reality, both of these men were murderers, yet in the end, their report was one of the finest any human man could have and most importantly; they had the respect of God, two of His most favorite leaders!

We don’t allow our ministers to make mistakes, at least not big ones. If they do, we are finished with them and cast them aside to be forgotten.

No matter what they accomplished in their ministries, we decide they no longer have worth.

We don’t rehabilitate or restore them; we really don’t know how. Is there another “good report?”

What if those who fail do everything to admit their fault, take all measures to make right their transgressions, make amends and prove themselves to be once more faithful and true servants of God and His people, the same way Moses and David did?

Is this not also a very good report? One to be considered and honored?

Perhaps there are exceptions to every rule, but is it not still true that those who are forgiven much, love much?

Why is it that lay people and their families often make all kind of mistakes, but the ministry absolutely must be perfect?

It is likely that most of us today know of at least one or more good ministers who fell somehow and we personally know that these are still good, loving people, who have learned well from their errors and could very likely be wiser and save many others from possibly going down the wrong path.

I think it is possible for couples to go on with their lives and learn to trust one another again if there has been some kind of failure on the part of one or both people.

It’s hard work for sure, but isn’t that relationship worth the effort sometimes?

Some things cannot be repaired. That’s real. But perhaps some things can.

Many ministers who fell, have gone on to live long lives with their companions afterwards. If such a personal relationship can be revived or saved, is it possible that their relationship with the church could be restored also? I’m only asking.

David and Moses were both very well-able generals in the Army of The LORD.

I wonder what the people would have done without such capable leadership?

I’m sure God could have raised up someone else, but the point is, He didn’t.

He chose to hang on to the good in these men and forgive the bad.

Could it be possible for us to do the same thing today?

First published: November 22, 2010.

~ Robert Blackburn

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Robert Blackburn

 

 

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