Desiring God have produced a great article here on “Sexual Sin in the ministry”. Read it here.
On a related issue, Covenant Eyes have produced a free e-book for those struggling with pornography. Download it here.
In our ministry in Niddrie there are so many people (men and women) who struggle with this issue. This is why we place such an emphasis on one to one discipleship, mentoring and gospel coaching. People need to develop relationships and friendships in which they can feel free to be vulnerable and open about their issues, without fear of judgement, but with certainty of spiritual challenge and, if necessary, discipline.
The church cannot afford to be squeamish or to beat about the bush with these issues. We must face them head on and seek to bring biblical truth to bear. Thankfully, we are a church where, generally, most people (Niddrie ones) are open and honest about their ongoing battles. It is the middle class, so-called respectable ones, that hide behind a veneer of spirituality. More often than not they are the ones who complain about high accountability or don’t like our one to one system, largely (I believe) because they have dark and hidden sins that they don’t want to come to the fore.
Pray for us as we minister in this place with a wide variety of sexual deviancy, both open and hidden.