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Dillemma

In today's world, a minister is only allowed to confess 2 types of sin. One of them I describe as the "shared category" such as getting a speeding ticket. A congregation can overlook that because many of them have had the same problem so they don't judge a pastor if it happens to him too. The other one is the "old sin"- something that happened years and years ago before anyone in the church ever knew him, especially preferred if he was not a christian at the time it occurred. Some of the worst sins are overlooked in this case because they are washed away upon conversion.
But what should someone do if they feel like God has called them to ministry, but they have committed one of society's taboo sins outside of these 2 categories? On one hand the bible says the callings & the gifts of God are irrevocable. However in the real world you would be asking a congregation of people to trust someone with an amount of risk involved that they would rather avoid. And I doubt you would feel good about concealing your past mistake. How do you get out of the dilemma? It's too early to tell until you walk through it. (You're probably thinking: "EARLY? I've been dwelling on this for years and need an answer before I invest any more time with this!") Hold on. Moses knew there was something different about his life. It was supposed to take on significance more than what earthly royalty could bring. He tried to become a deliverer in his own timing and he ended up murdering someone. THAT's a BIG mistake. So he bails out and 40 years later the Lord brings him to a calling more huge than anyone can dream. I'm not saying it's going to take 40 years to figure it out for you, just that it's going to unfold in ways you don't yet expect. And it is probably going to be bigger than what your sins are limiting you to think.
I know of 2 prominant ministries in my area that employed a sex offender who came out of prison becasue they knew he was genuine in repentence. One of them is a world wide ministry that you would recognize if i mentioned it. I'm not saying there are no consequnces of rejection coming your way, but you will learn to handle it with grace and not angst. You are going to have to believe your purpose is more important than a position. You are going to have to believe a setback is really a set up with God. You are going to need to know all along the way, what appears to be a disappointment is really an appointment.

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