In Hollywood, there is always a new scandal. Whether a rapper turns out to be a notorious molester or a producer turns out to be a rapist. In the political arena, there is continual controversy on nearly a daily basis. Public schools are also becoming a haven for trouble. Whether the story is about an intoxicated teacher or a mass shooting. Some people make look to religious houses for something more untainted. However, is this even possible at this point?
At least the Pastor is Smiling.
In 2017, the Southwest was hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. This specifically affected citizens in Texas. Pastor Joel Osteen, who is the pastor of the famed Lakewood Church was criticized during this time for not opening his large 606,000-square-foot, 16,000-seat former sports arena size church as shelter to locals. After the church received pressure on social media, they opened their doors to those displaced by the hurricane.
A Cry for Help.
John Paul Miller, a pastor in South Carolina, is currently under investigation for the death of his wife, Micah Miller. In early 2024, Micah Miller was found dead after suspicious circumstances surrounding the last days of her life, and her failing marriage to Pastor Miller. Just prior to her death, Mica had filed for divorce from John. She also made reports to family and the police that she was afraid for her life, she did a Facebook live discussing the poor treatment she was enduring in her marriage, and she was seen purchasing a gun.
After her death, Pastor John appeared to turn her death into a comical farce, and he spoke to his congregation about trying to raise her from the dead and bragged about how good looking she was. Following his sermon, he was asked to step down as Pastor. Though he has not been arrested, he has faced public scorn from locals within his former church community.
In 2022, Heritage Baptist Church Pastor Matthew Dedmon allegedly shot and killed his wife’s lover. Pastor Dedmon believed his wife was having an affair and when confronted with the assumed lover, he shot him at point blank range several times. After trial, he was charged with first-degree murder.
Where Have We Gone Wrong?
A good question for the Pastor community is have they failed us, or have we failed them? Has societies penchant for anarchy, jealousy, divorce and crime rubbed off on even the holiest of men? Or are Pastors responsible for their newfound reputation of being subject to their own downfall despite their preaching. It could be possible that like therapists, Pastors are prone to suffer from burnout or compassion fatigue. As people tend to got to these figures for help, it’s possible they themselves are not going to anyone when they need help. There have been monikers on social media that encourage people to ‘check on their people’. Referring to checking in with those you know to see if they are doing well mentally. Maybe it is time we check on our Pastors more.
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