STEMMING THE TIDE - THE MODERN AFRICAN AMERICAN PASTOR AND THE BATTLE FOR SEXUAL INTEGRITY

By

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement9

Purpose of the Study12

Aim of the Study14

Objectives of the Study14

Research Questions15

Significance of the Study16

Assumptions of the Study19

Limitations of the Study20

Nature of the Study21

Definition of Terms22

Organization of the Study25

END NOTES26

BIBLIOGRAPHY29

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Allowing leadership competence in the local church to overshadow the importance of Christian integrity constitutes an increasing problem today. A substantial number of ministerial leaders in the local church, whether paid staff or volunteers are disregarding or neglecting biblical principles of morality in order to live a secret life of sexual misconduct. Many of these leaders are able to separate their public performance in ministry from their private lives of sexual transgressions in a manner that keeps their secret lives from interfering with their ministry. As a result, their recognized achievements in Christian ministry could become like the precise clockwork of a bomb, moving ever closer to an explosive scandal.

To disarm such problems of carnal ordnances, the local church must train leaders to apply cardinal ordinances, learned from the Bible. However, many pastors are either in denial that such problems exist in their churches or are in a quandary as to what action needs to be taken. The absence of moral purity among some church leaders constitutes only half of the problem. The improper attitude and inadequate preparation of church leaders towards restoring those who have fallen into moral failure compromise the other half.

Some churches offer only a half-hearted willingness to address the need of sexual integrity. As a result, they merely provide a poor substitute for a process of Christian restoration, one which often serves only to enlarge and perpetuate secret lives of sexual misconduct. All churches should provide not only a viable remedial process but also a system of proactive safeguards to protect their leaders from moral failure. Without exception, in ministerial associations and ministry conversations, pastors and laity of churches are frustrated and unprepared to address sexual education methods that are both effective and economical.

In the current economic climate, churches are quite conscious about image and expenses. However, pastors want to have ministries that are effective, cost efficient and budget minded. This project will offer vital information to help African American churches deal with sexual education within the economic confines of the church. Based on enthusiastic response and interest shown in conversations and correspondence, it appears that churches are looking for the kind of answers this project will provide. An integral part of the African American community and its perspective has been the African American church.

The church's current response to the issue of sexual purity and integrity, however, has been inadequate. The analysis of the traditional theological response within the African American church to the issue of sexual purity and integrity has identified three barriers found within the tradition. The research has shown, first, that there is a double-standard of sexuality within the church that encourages different sexual behavior ...