May 14, 2024

Rebuilding Your Reputation after a Church Scandal

23 minutes

Proverbs 22:1 makes clear, “Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.” (NLT) How can a church recover after a scandal? What are some ways a congregation can begin to rebuild a reputation? Thom and Sam discuss some steps forward for these churches.

If the scandal is rooted in sin, the church must publicly repent as a first step.

If the scandal is derived from a stance on truth, the church must stand firm.

The scandal’s size and impact of the scandal should determine your response.

Quickly remove church leaders from their positions of authority if necessary.

Humility and service to the community over time will reduce the impact of the scandal.

When there are victims, seek fair restitution proactively.

Do not sue others as a way to save face or retaliate.

Put Christ in the middle of your response and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance through prayer.

Resources:

Upward Sports

California Baptist University

Church Answers Central

Know Your Beliefs

“It Is Time to Stop Celebrating Church Transfer Growth” by Thom S. Rainer

The Everything Church Resource Directory

The Hope Initiative

Get your FREE tool! Attendance Growth Projector

Episode Sponsors:

Upward Sports equips churches to run self-sustaining sports ministries in their communities. Whether you are a sports fanatic, or on staff at a church, Upward Sports will give you all the tools you need to run a first-class sports ministry that allows you to reach families in your community. Upward Sports offers basketball, soccer, flag football, cheerleading, volleyball, baseball and softball through league and camp offerings.

At Upward Sports, we want to help your church make a difference, and give you increased opportunities to share the gospel. Learn more today at Upward.org/ChurchAnswers.

**As a partner of Rainer or Leadership, Upward Sports is offering a $500 sports start up grant to listeners. Head over to Upward.org/ChurchAnswers and schedule a call… tell them we sent you! Your sports grant will assist you in a 2024 LEAGUE!

Did you know that fewer than 20% of Southern Baptist pastors have a bachelor’s degree? That is according to a past Pew Research study. How can this be combated and how can we prepare our churches for the future? California Baptist University has a solution. CBU offers a full breadth of courses through its online degree programs.

Whether you’re looking to start your degree, finish your degree, or prepare leaders in your church for advancement opportunities, CBU’s degree programs provide a flexible, online learning environment. Classes start every eight weeks, so you can begin any time.

An online degree can:

Help you gain a better understanding of your life’s purpose;

Symbolize competence and integrity in your career; and

Provide you with the skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.

Your team may benefit from a degree in business, leadership, finance, communications or Christian studies. There are dozens of online degrees available to you! The online Bachelor’s degree in Christian Ministries develops servant leaders with the tools for understanding and communicating biblical truths. This degree prepares students for active leadership roles in the church, parachurch and Christian organizations.

Financial aid is available, and thanks to CBU donors, online undergraduate degrees in Christian Ministries and Christian Studies may qualify for additional scholarship, making earning your degree more affordable.

Visit calbaptist.edu to learn more.

The post Rebuilding Your Reputation after a Church Scandal appeared first on Church Answers.

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By Thom Rainer

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