Ministry and Context

Group 2: Cherrye Bess-Branch

Anthony Clinkscales
Jarvis Williams
23 March 2011
Issue in Ministry

ISSUE:

This issue is a 44-year single pastor began dating a 22-year college

graduate in his congregation. I was the minister of Music at this church
and a newly ordained Deacon.
This young lady was in the choir and my good friend. She asked for my
advice and guidance.

SHARE:

Many people in the church body were very upset. Some even left the
church.
There were no guidelines set in the church discipline or any agreement
made with the pastor or the church regarding single pastors dating
church members. There was just talk among the clergy and others
that dating a church member should be prohibited.
What were the assumptions:
the young lady.

The pastor was too much older than

The young lady was too young to date a 44

year old.
Pastor dating a member was unethical.
EXPLORE:

In a larger pursuit of ministry the concern could be, does age regulate
relations and how?
How does single pastors dating within their ministry affect their
ministry and the people being ministers to?

DISCUSS:
At this time I did not have seminary training or any pastoral care
experience.
I was more confused and caught between ministerial opinions and
personal opinions and actions. As her friend, we talked candidly about
the situation with none being in authority. As a minister I was caught
between what I thought and believed and what the church thought and

believed. It affected the choir and the choir rehearsals, which was
plagued with talk of this situation.
PRESENT:

What would Jesus Do?