Does not the media-saturated, multi-site, mega-church simply create these failures? And do not most of the sins of which their “pastor” (again, intentional) was guilty grow by (sinful) nature in the climate of distance, isolation, and celebrity that is created by such media? I’m guessing that most people at Journey knew their “pastor” as well as they know the men in the videos on their support page?

In other words, at what point do we say that this broken (really, nonexistent) ecclesiology that distances people from one another, but offers an illusory community, fellowship and pastoral care, is what creates these situations – and it will continue unabated until it’s repented of. Maybe I’m suggesting that all the culprits take responsibility, not just the disgraced “pastors,” but those who propagate, feed, and support this approach and call it “church”? I guess that would include even those men offering “support” via video – is the blood not on their hands, too?

Thank you for shining God’s truth in the dark places the church wants to remain hidden. From a bleeding sheep whose wounds are slow to heal but I know God, in His sweet mercy, is able!