Restoration Consultation

The moral failure of a pastor or staff member presents church leaders with one of the greatest leadership challenges the church will ever face. Mistakes in the process are common, often inflicting unnecessary wounds on the church. The church has also often "shot its wounded," failing to practice Galatians 6:1: "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted" (NIV).

Not all spiritual leaders who are caught in moral failure are repentant. When there is repentance and a desire for restoration, it can be invaluable to draw on the wisdom of others who have experience in guiding a successful restoration process.

Laurie Morris leads Living Stones' Restoration Consulting Track. She has personally experienced the restoration process as the wife of a pastor who was successfully restored to public ministry after infidelity, and she has partnered with other churches as they navigated restoration.

With a Restoration Consultation a Living Stones team partners with church leaders to develop and execute a plan of action for the restoration process.

Is a public announcement and public declaration of repentance needed? If so, what is to be shared? What information should be kept confidential within the church leadership?

When will the staff member step down from public ministry? What are the goals of the restoration process? Do they include the possibility of restoring the person to active ministry in this congregation?

What are the requirements to be met for the restoration process? Will the staff member continue to receive financial support during the restoration process? What resources will the church provide to the staff member, the staff member's family, other church leaders, and the congregation throughout the process?

The Living Stones team provides:

Counseling sessions for the couple and/or family.

Referral for resources to support the person and the staff in dealing with the aftermath of the moral failure.

Referral for resources for the church body if the moral failure is shared with the congregation.