AFTER THE FALL

The recent news of Pastor Bob Coy’s “moral failure” has left many in the Calvary Chapel movement stunned to say the least. Generally, these reports don’t surprise me. I readily recognize that man is fallible, no matter how high his calling may be. But Bob Coy was someone I looked up to. Not only was he a favorite Bible teacher, he was number one on my top ten list.

Admittedly, I do not know Bob. I only met him once – last year at the senior pastor’s conference. Though he was a giant among preachers, he maintained a humble disposition. While many may have viewed him as a celebrity, he never came across that way to me. He generally sat towards the back at our annual conferences, alone or with his ‘look-alike’ son. I guess that’s why I didn’t see this one coming. Bob didn’t fit the typical profile of a pastor with something to hide.

So, yes, I was rocked by the news of Bob’s moral failure. Not only was I rocked I became frightened. I’d be a fool to think I’m above a fall, or that I’m some kind of spiritual superman. Once I begin to believe that, I’m really in trouble. This is why Scripture reminds us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) It’s possible that Bob lost that sense of fear. I’m not really sure. But I want to make sure I never do, because without this fear we end up in scary places. I’m pretty sure Bob realizes this by now.

A little over four years ago, I assumed the role of senior pastor at Calvary Austin. It was then I learned firsthand how moral failure rocks a church fellowship. I was quickly swallowed into a wake of hurting people. By ‘people’ I mean real people. They weren’t church members, congregants or attendees. These were God’s precious people. And they were in pain. Some questioned the legitimacy of Christianity while others questioned God Himself. There were youth that also went through a faith crisis. I was concerned for them most.

The pain was deep. The tears were real. The recovery took time. Here’s the point: I wish this upon no church. Nor would I ever want to see Calvary Austin go through this agony again. The idea scares the living hell out of me. Honestly, I never want to lose this fear. Without it I’m in big danger. Because I’m human like everyone else, I need safeguards like everyone else: devotions, accountability, boundaries, prayer, prayer and more prayer.  The neglect of such safeguards leaves me ripe for a fall. This is true for all believers.

This morning one of the precious people of Calvary Austin stopped by to pray God’s protection over me. I can’t begin to express how much that meant, and how strengthened I felt by this simple gesture. No doubt, this brother felt led to pray for me upon hearing the news of Bob Coy. Rather than pick on a fallen pastor, he prayed against another causality. Oh, how we need those prayers. Please do the same for your spiritual leaders. They desperately need it. After all, they’re only human.