The Lay Leader & Porn

Ironically, porn is a controversial topic in many churches. A father told me recently that he discovered his son had issues with viewing porn. Not knowing how best to handle his addiction, the father approached his son's youth pastor. The pastor quickly directed him to a counselor indicating porn was not a topic that the church felt comfortable dealing with. The father was stunned to hear that such a widespread problem was being ignored by his church.

Many churches are hesitant to tackle this important topic. Pastor's are torn between knowing many in their congregation struggle with the issue and yet the culture of their church is not open enough to discuss it in the proper light it deserves.

I believe that lay leaders of the church should come to the support of the pastor in a methodical manner such that the issue can be addressed in more than a fleeting manner. Laity should take on the difficult conversations with church leadership that believes porn is not a subject to be discussed in the church. Laity is the bridge to which important, life crushing issues, should be brought out in a loving light of support.

Marriages and families are literally being destroyed everyday in our midst and most sit by watching it deteriorate the fabric of our church and community. My challenge to church laity is to stand by your pastor and bring light to this growing spiritual disease.

For an example of a loving and complete treatment of the topic, here is a link to a message entitled Pure in a Porn World brought by Pastor Chuck Land in Houston, that I believe to be a great example of how this topic can be lovingly handled. Take the challenge lay leaders to bring change in your church!