Today I found out that yet another "high-profile" pastor has been removed from his position in ministry. The elders within the church discovered unresolved sin in his life that disqualified him from his role, and both the elders and the pastor decided that stepping down would be the best course of action.

In addition to grieving and praying for this man and the church that he leads, I also find myself staring at, once again, the devastating implications of sin - especially for those who serve in pastoral ministry.

This man's story serves as another serious warning to me that unconfessed, unresolved, unattended to sin is costly. Not only will it undermine the work that you have put in to serve the local church, but it also has the potential to hinder the work that God is doing in the individuals within the local church that you serve. (I understand fully that God's work in the lives of people will happen with or without me, but the idea of my sin in any way hindering that work is a terrible thought.)

Knowing that I am just as susceptible to sin as the pastor who was removed from his position, I am compelled to pray the following prayer that I encourage you to pray with me as well:

Heavenly Father, help me. Your word says that sin is crouching at my door and that its' will is to overtake me. Lord help me to be aware of this sin. Lord help me to avoid this sin. Lord and if, for any reason, I succumb to this sin, give me the humility and courage to repent and confess. Lord help me. Lord help me. Lord help me. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. The same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in me, and I ask for that power to help me overcome sin today. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.