Governor Mark Sanford Could Be You or Me

June 30, 2009

It has been stated throughout the unfolding of the circumstance for South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford that he often would retreat after legislative sessions because they would wear him out. Retreating and refreshing is good, but at some point, Mark made some dangerous decisions about his integrity. Most likely, those decisions came in weariness and fatigue. They almost always do.

Pastor Gary Lamb recently said that in the couple of weeks after his resignation as a result of his affair, he had received over 30 anonymous emails from Pastors who admitted in those emails they were currently in the middle of an adulterous affair.

As stated in this post, there are a number of politicians who have admitted their moral failings recently. Is it just me, or does it seem like this is happening left and right?

We could list (and it would be LONG) Pastors who have shipwrecked their families and ministries because of sexual indiscretions as well. In the last post on this issue, I stated that we too often make our public figures more than human.

I don’t mean for this post to communicate that we should do that, but I also can’t help but wonder if God is not cleaning house among us. I’m talking about Pastors, not Politicians. It’s very interesting to me that this is happening with Politicians as well, but my primary focus here is Pastors.

The focus of this particular post comes back to self-care. It sounds like Mark Sanford had somewhat of a good sense and rhythm of self-care, though not knowing him it’s hard to really say. But it’s notable that he knew himself enough that when he was tired, he would get away to refresh.

Obviously, his trip to Argentina wasn’t about refreshing himself. But Argentina didn’t happen overnight, and affairs never do. They start slowly and grow in a process of decisions that lack integrity and honesty with important people.

How are you doing in this area? Are you taking care of you? Have you gotten away lately to be restored in energy, passion and vision? Are you taking your Sabbath and spending honest time with your family and friends?

Posted by Paul | Filed Under Affairs, Brokenness, Burnout, Emotional health, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Expectations, Failure, Leadership, Margin, Pace of life, Pastor, Personal Pace, Relationships, Sabbath, Sabbaticals, Spiritual health, Things that drain life, Things that give life, Tragedy, confession, deception, duplicity, success 

Comments

2 Responses to “Governor Mark Sanford Could Be You or Me”

  1. Mike Barker on July 1st, 2009 4:56 am

    Thanks for keeping it real Paul. With you I encourage pastors everywhere to take an honest look at the questions posed. Sit down with a trusted friend and work through these.

    I’ve heard leaders who “fall”, say things like, “I was looking for an escape. I just had to get away”. If we feel that way it’s okay to express it and break away for a season. Get rest, get encouragement and be healed. The Lord is faithful to do that.

    Thank you for being one of a few pastors who are humbling leading the way.

  2. Jan Owen on July 1st, 2009 6:54 am

    Hi Paul, I read yesterday where he’s now admitted to some sexual indiscretions (short of actual sex he says – I would wonder if his wife agrees?) on trips with male friends in order to “blow off steam”. Seems like he knew he needed to get away but made bad choices about how to relieve the stress.

    I’m not sure what to say about that except that – as you’ve pointed out – exhaustion and frustration can put us in a place where our wisdom is lacking and our perspective is not clear. And that is scary.

    Perhaps a good question might be – “what do we run to?” when we’re stressed. Do we run to time with our spouse, or time with God, or whatever? That might be a really good cnversation to have for all of us in ministry.

    How’s the sabbatical?

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