Sin in church and ministry leadership

"News" broke last night that one of the key leaders in today's evangelical life is taking a leave of absence from his ministry position to deal with charges brought against him for "various expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy."  No adultery.  No immorality.  No impropriety.  Just good, old-fashioned sin that hurt others that, by his admission, he just wouldn't see.


I put "news" in quotes earlier because it's really not news.  A man in high leadership of a ministry still struggles with sin?  God convicts this man through some tough conversations?  He humbles himself, submits to disciplinary action, voluntarily steps down from ministry because of the widespread nature of this sin, and doesn't blame others or flat out deny it?  That's not news.  That's a model to follow and cheer.


Think about every other public leader you can right now who has had issues.  Anthony Weiner.  Bill Clinton.  Mark Sanford.  Newt Gingrich.  How about this one:  Ted Haggard.  Ergun Caner.  Eddie Long.  Benny Hinn.


Denials.  Well-crafted media statements.  "Release" from current positions (they can't say fired?).  Tearful apologies on 20/20 or Dateline or 60 Minutes or Oprah.


And here's this other guy.  No denial.  No blame-shifting.  Accepting responsibility.  Accepting accountability.  


But isn't that the way it should be?


But that's just me thinking thoughts...