Recently I became aware of survey results that I find very ership; sometimes it is because of the misconception that such
unsettling. The men who were surveyed were from a large num- areas as sexual temptations and addictions are taboo and should
ber of denominations and were professing Christians. If the num- not be discussed within the church.
bers from this survey hold true, we as ministers and counselors I do not agree with that viewpoint. Though these areas are
have a serious issue that we need to address. According to Patrick very sensitive, this should not stop them from being discussed
Means, in his book Men’s Secret Wars (Revell Publishing, 2004), in the church. Maybe if we discussed these issues and taught
survey results from his conferences indicate the following. about them, we would not have to counsel, after the fact, those
“The Men’s Confidential Survey polled 350 men from more who have fallen into one of these sins and are now having to
than a dozen evangelical denominations. Ten percent of the face terrible consequences!
respondents are pastors. Of the 90 percent who are laymen,
the majority hold leadership responsibilities in their churches—
Helpful Suggestions for the Church
deacons, elders, and men’s ministry leaders. • Face the fact that there are those in your congregation,
• 64 percent struggle with sexual addiction or sexual compul- both men and women, who may be struggling in silence with
sion, including but not limited to the use of pornography . . . or these issues.
other secret sexual activity. • Accept the fact that most of them will not admit to others
• 25 percent admit to having had sexual intercourse with that they are having a problem.
someone other than their wife, while married, since becoming a • Bring in ministers or counselors who are trained in dealing
Christian. with these issues for short elective classes that are open to the
• Another 14 percent acknowledge having had sexual con- entire congregation.
tact short of intercourse outside of their marriage since becom- • Offer outside Christian counseling for those who feel too
ing a Christian. ashamed, scared, or uncomfortable being counseled by those
When the figures for those having had sexual intercourse within their own congregation.
outside marriage, sexual contact short of intercourse, and emo- • Create support groups to offer accountability and encour-
tional affairs are combined, it reveals that more than half of our agement to those who are overcoming these areas of weakness.
“Have we become so jaded, as Pentecostals, in our holiness belief that we will not accept the
fact all of us can be tempted or fall into sin? Do we feel that just because we have the
indwelling of the Holy Spirit somehow we are ‘super-Christians’ and nothing can harm us?”
most committed laymen and pastors have had some kind of Sin is sin, no matter what it is, and God’s forgiveness and
inappropriate involvement with women outside marriage.” grace are ever present for cleansing and strength. For those who
If we were to take the results of this survey on its own merit, it is are dealing with a sexual sin or sexual temptation, the embar-
obvious that there is a real spiritual and mental battle that is taking rassment of asking for help is extremely hard. Since most will
place within our congregations, and for some reason we are unaware never seek help, the church should begin to face the fact that
of it. Maybe it is because of guilt or the fear of condemnation that there needs to be some “intervention” that is incorporated into
those suffering in this quagmire try to deal with it on their own. the Christian education programs of their congregation.
Sadly, most all of them will fail. Those who do make it through, for Churches teach about so many other areas of Christian living
the most part, will be so spiritually wounded that they will no longer but hardly ever about sexual sin or temptation. Why is this? In
be effective in their ministry. I have heard it said that the Church this time of rising Christian divorce rates, the church needs to
shoots its wounded instead of trying to heal them. Unfortunately, I become aggressive in prevention instead of being a reactionary
can say it is true. I have seen people who will not accept the fact that and only “treating” those who are involved after the fact!
someone who is Spirit-filled has fallen. Yes, the Holy Spirit is our For those of you who read this and are having trouble in
strength and power, and thank God that He has given us the dealing with these issues, I encourage you to keep your trust in
indwelling. However, have we become so jaded, as Pentecostals, in Jesus and find someone trained to help you and to be account-
our holiness belief that we will not accept the fact all of us can be able to. Don’t suffer in silent guilt and shame. God wants you to
tempted or fall into sin? Do we feel that just because we have the have life . . . and more abundant life. And in that abundance, to
indwelling of the Holy Spirit somehow we are “super-Christians” be an overcomer!
and nothing can harm us? Should one of us fall, do we feel the fall-
en was never truly a Christian, otherwise they would not have suc- Jerry L. Rogers, a minister and chaplain in the Church
cumbed? These are questions that each of us must consider. of God, holds a Ph.D. in clinical Christian psychology
and a M.Div. in divinity studies. Jerry and his wife, Bar-
What Can the Church Do?
bara, who is the founder and coordinator of Naomi’s
Some churches really have a problem dealing with the issue Circle, a widows ministry outreach of Stratford Heights
of “preventative maintenance” when it comes to certain areas of Church of God in Middletown, Ohio, conduct marriage, divorce, and
Christian life. Sometimes it is because of the lack of trained lead- grief-recovery classes in the local congregation and community.
EVANGEL • FEB 2009 21
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