Praying for the nameless

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
- 1 Timothy 3:1-2a

Last week, megachurch pastor Matt Chandler took a disciplinary leave of absence from his church because of an inappropriate online relationship. Although he reiterated in his announcement that the relationship "was not sexual in nature, the frequency and familiarity of the messages crossed a line." His elder board said Chandler had failed to meet the First Timothy standard for elders of being above reproach and has begun the disciplinary procedure with him. What does it mean to be above reproach? It means that no one can adequately bring accusations of inappropriateness against him. Pastors and elders must be blameless in their behavior.

How should we respond to Matt Chandler's situation? Since we do not have all the facts, we must not gossip and trust God and his church's elders in handling the case. All indications show that they are taking the case biblically. We should pray for Chandler, his family, his church, and, more importantly, the woman involved. Pray that authentic healing, renewal, and restoration can occur in Jesus' name.

What happened to Matt Chandler can happen to any one of us. Therefore, I humbly ask that you pray for your pastor always, that he may be above reproach through God's grace and power.