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I have heard and read about a lot of men (and women) in ministry that have made major moral mistakes, but I never knew any of them very well. I found it much easier to be judgmental and dismissive of their future when they were relative strangers.
So, when I learned on Sunday that my good friend and one of the biggest (and earliest) supporters/cheerleaders of Courageous Church, Gary Lamb, resigned abruptly as Pastor of Revolution Church after confessing to an affair with another woman on the church staff, I was a bit surprised at just how heavy a ton of bricks really feels. Because Gary is my friend and I love Revolution Church so much, I mainly found myself sad and hurt for him, his family, and the church. I also wallowed in self-pity for just a few seconds because it has given me great confidence since launching our church to know that I had a pastor-friend right up the road that was pushing the envelope to reach and grow people that had given up on the church or never gave it a chance in the first place.
Two pastors that I admire a great deal have written awesome posts this week to give us all some perspective and insight on moral failure that I suggest we all read:
Perry Noble: Gary and Two Facts about Spiritual Warfare
Geoff Surratt: An Open Letter to Pastors
I only have one thought that I want to add that has been on my heart this morning.
Gary got caught. You didn’t. Does this dismiss Gary? Of course not. What it means is that the grace of God has sustained your sorry tail all these years, but this very public embarrassment should be a lesson to all of us that private behaviors and secrets tend to become public fodder eventually.
You might not have had an affair with your assistant, but you’ve looked at pornography and masturbated. You’ve looked at people other than your spouse and imagined having hot sex with them. You’ve lied and convinced yourself that it was a necessary lie or didn’t really matter much. You’ve fueled the flames of rumors about other people by running your mouth way more than is respectable. You’ve stolen something before and creatively justified it. You’ve considered evil or even violent schemes. The primary difference is that everyone doesn’t know your dirty, nasty business.
You, too, are a sinner saved by the grace of God. Jesus didn’t just die for Gary Lamb.
He died for you.
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{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
Shaun, I agree with you. I read Geoff Surratt's post yesterday and thought it should be a must read. I also wrote a post about this ordeal but I took a different spin. Let me know what you think.
Well said, seriously.
Excellent Post Shaun -
Great post, Shaun. Hits home especially hard because Gary was my pastor, but you also make good points about the"private sins of the flesh." Thanks for the support and the insight.
Well said! Nice perspective on this.
Josh, you and the Revolution Church family are on my prayer list.
Every pastor has a big Devil attracting target on his back. None of us are above falling into sin. Let what happen to Gary serve as a wake up call to all who think that they are safe!
Thanks Shaun. Put well and really needed at this hard time. As a fellow Revolutionary, this hit hard but we know God has a plan for our church and we can't waiver because that's what Satan would want. He is trying to take our church down… we know that internally… just the external is REALLY sucking right now.
I love and read your blog/Twitter on a daily basis. Keep up the good work in ATL and thanks for loving on us from down the road.
Great post, P.Shaun! A couple of twitter friends started a group blogging project on Mad Church Disease by Anne Jackson and Ch. 2 is dicussed, would love for everyone's input on How we can prepare to protect the weak areas in our life? http://www.santzonthejourney.com/2009/06/group-bl... after this major set back it's easy to get our feathers ruffled but we must continue Praying for the The Lamb family and Revolution church. I love what Anne's book says "…He might have fallen out of Gods will, but not out of God's reach."
First Ambassador from Cross Movement, now this. I'm crushed internally, but I'm also humbled. My life is an open book to God and must eliminate the things in my life that would destroy my family and ministry if he were to decide to read my book out loud.
Powerful and helpful words. Thanks for this.
Shaun, great post. Thank you for sharing this. As I read Gary's blog and letter, I couldn't help but wonder, "but what about Elena?" After his mention (and naming) of her being the other party involved in the affair, there is no mention of her or her family needing prayer and covering as well. Just my perspective. Any insight?
It's stories like this that convince me that drastic measures need to be taken to avoid this kind of failure. I commented on your post http://www.shauninthecity.com/2009/03/drastic-mea... and was hammered by people saying how it wasn't fair to put up safe guards against women, and that by doing so I made them second class.
Where are those people now?
I don't know if Gary had safeguards in place or not. It really doesn't matter at this point. I am incredibly saddened by the news and pray for restoration for Gary, his family, the other women, and his church. "And we know that in all things God works for the Good of those who love him…"
Thank you for your post and your support of our Chruch. We are all dealing with this very hard. Gary's teaching helped me to bring my husband to church. I don't know what I feel about this situation, only that whatever Revolution does will make its followers stronger. We all share not just Sunday's together but Tuesday Nights at Celebrate Recovery. Celebrate Recovery will be there every Tuesday to help us not only get over the loss of Our Lead Pastor, but to also help us with all of our other Hurts, Hang-Ups or Habits. We we do what we always to and Be Revolutionary. Thanks
Well said sir
Thank you Shaun, as you know Revolution is the Church God has called me to serve, and Gary Lamb IS one of my closest friends. My heart aches for Deanna, Ashlyn and Avery, my hearts sheds tears for Kyle(the assistants husband and Youth Pastor of Revolution) Shaun you were able to put into words, things I could not, but felt. The fact is this, what has happened has happened. There is no changing that, except to seek repentance and guidance from God.
Though this all hurts, and effects everyone, some a little more than others, it is all the past. We GET to now make a decision, will we harness these feelings and thoughts, and use them to Glorify God's name the way He wants us to, OR will we let this be our excuse for tearing apart what God has built. See there are still lost souls out there, that God has called Revolution to reach. These souls are depending on us, as a Body of Christ to persevere. It doesn't matter who is leading Revolution Church, as long as we, as the Body of Christ serve Him to the highest at Revolution, lives will be changed through God. In closing I thank you again Shaun, and everyone supporting OUR church and friends, we will need it. The support is definitely felt, and appreciated. I pray God bless our church with Courage, strength, wisdom, and honor to persevere and continue to serve Him the way He is calling us to.
Blessings,
Kevin
First let me say I agree with your perspective overall. As believers, we do need to allow God in our lives to clean up every hidden sin. This is what is killing our testimony today "all talk and no walk". I also do believe that many people have not committed adultery because no one ever asked them. Therefore, it is easy to judge.
However, a couple more points. Many Christians I have noticed are “quick” to forgive our own but still talk about the unbelievers that sin as if it is strange. Please, that is the nature of man. We have to stop focusing on what the "world" is doing and get our “act” together!
Lastly, I do “feel” for Elena and her family. I do not know her but often the “celeb” gets all the prayers and well wishes while others are made out to be villains (I mean we have to blame someone, right-not!). Please pray for her as Jesus works in her life to bring restoration.
This goes right along with the comments on FB the other day that soooooo many people had about T.I. and his '"insincerity" about going to jail. I try my best to NOT judge anyone else, because the very same gavel that I lower so harshly on others SHOULD be lowered on me also. God's grace is one of the most beautiful things about Him. Every day his Grace is reapplied and extended to our sorry behinds. Even those of US who feel that we walk so upright before him must admit our private thoughts, actions, and deeds. If God were to roll the movie our lives we would ALL hold our heads down in shame….every one of us has an "R" rated movie of our lives….and for anyone who thinks not…you JUST put yourself in that category. I know that God says in His Word that "he who has been forgiven much, loves much" and I am in Love with a God who loves me…in SPITE of me.
Hey Josh!
I'm here for you bro. Email me anytime @ shaunking@courageous.tv. God will light a path my man.
Hey Niki!
I will continue to be praying for you and the Revolution crew. I have been through some pretty tough times in my life and I can tell you with absolute certainty that this will begin to hurt less in time. I'm sure of it. Hang in there sis.
Good Stuff Santos.
I agree with you completely Grant. A lot of prayer is needed for a lot of people man. Some of us will feel particularly burdened to pray for one particular person and that's OK, but, as leaders, we should always ask ourselves who is being forgotten and make sure we pray for them!
I remember Billy. What you said and what others have said sounds pretty ridiculous, but is actually needed on some levels. Thanks for your insight.
Hey Jenn!
I know things are very tough right now. During this season, hold close to your friends and family and push through these early tough days. They will get easier and God will chart a new path.
Praying for you and the crew often.
Hey Big Man!
Continue standing firm during this tough season. Now is the time for you to continue listening to God and put your best foot forward.
I will continue to be here for you and the crew in any big or small way I can.
Shaun
Great thoughts Ivy. Thank you so much for your perspective.
Great words and perspective. We are praying for him and want to see God's grace and love restore him and his family…
Great post Shaun. One of your best.
Awesome post. It's such a great reminder that none of us are too far from falling. Last night, my Bible Study teacher brought us back to Romans 3:23-24, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous." And that's the really awesome part, God still considers Gary righteous and loves him no less for his sin just as he loves us no less for the sins we commit on a daily basis. I will keep him in my prayers and the community surrounding him because that will also be the challenging part. While God will have forgiven him, people will hold this against him so we must pray that this message reaches far and wide and people don't thrown any stones. Thanks Shaun for this post.
I agree with your approach to this. We share some of the same thoughts:
http://www.ronedmondson.com/2009/06/the-opportuni...
@ Billy: Although I did not respond to Shaun's drastic measure post I did read the comments including yours. I am one of "those people" who thought these drastic measures devalued and at their extreme, demonized women. My reaction wasn't so much about the fairness of taking these measures as it was about the underlying whiff of smugness that I (and others that I shared the thread with) caught….that something like what happend to Pastor Lamb could NEVER happen to me because I take drastic measures. One of the 1st things Surratt mentions in his open letter is something to the effect, "if you think this could never happen to you you're already dead in the water!"
Constructing safe-guards is right and Biblical. I guess my issue is when leaders really believe that if they cut their hands off, so to speak, there is absolutely no chance that they will steal. If you have a thieving heart, you will work overtime to create a way to steal which does NOT require the use of your hands. Let drastic measures be a weapon in the safe-guarding of your marriage, but don't bet the farm on them. Please allow a humble, broken, and contrite heart & spirit (I am not immune to this) to led the way. As you say in your comment, "I don't know if Gary had safeguards in place or not. It really doesn't matter at this point." You are so right.
As a fellow Revolutionary, I find this post to be very fitting. Sin is Sin! Whether you lie/steal/cheat (I think you get the point) it all has the same consequence: For the Wages of Sin is Death, but the gift of God is Eternal Life. Getting people to accept that Gift for their Sin is what Revolution is all about! The Vision of the church has not changed! We are sold out/balls to the wall to reaching the unchurched for Christ. We all live in glass houses, just sometimes we can't tell that we do because the window is too dirty to see out.
Nice Post, Shaun. Thanks for your sharing your heart.
oof…we need to keep Gary in our prayers.
Thanks man!
Awesome thoughts! That verse was actually one I was thinking about when I wrote this.
I knew a preacher that once said that we act like that passage says, "Y'all have sinned and fallen short" instead of "ALL have sinned…"
Hey Renee!
Hang in there during this very tough season! I will be praying for you all regularly.
Your Friend,
Shaun
Shaun, one of the most well stated blog entries I think you've written. Well done and thank you.
Blessings from another sinner made righteous in Him
Ron, are you going to post your link on every blog……
definitely praying for the lamb family, and for elena's family too. feels like a punch in the gut. but we are not without hope – God is faithful and can still do amazing things in all of it that will show His grace and power to heal and forgive and restore and make new.
definitely praying for the lamb family, and for elena's family too. feels like a punch in the gut. but we are not without hope – God is faithful and can still do amazing things in all of it that will show His grace and power to heal and forgive and restore and make new.
Good post, Shaun. My mother's church (which will remain anonymous) went through this EXACT situation about 5 years ago and it tore the church in 2. Half the congregation wanted to forgive the pastor and half wanted him "run out of town" (which sadly, he was).
Satan wound up getting in and tearing that church apart and it has never been the same.
I pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ at Revolution Church are able to avoid this.
And you are right…. we are ALL guilty.
Let's not focus on the speck in our brother's eye until we examine the log in our own…..
Peace & Blessings….