Let's start this one with a quick review.
Sin and crime are both offenses. Sin is an offense against a person, and that offense can be God or an individual human. Crimes are offenses against society. Sometimes a sin is also a crime. When that happens, the government should deal with the crime, and the Body of Christ should deal with the sin.
When dealing with the sin, Believers/Disciples should hold to these principles: NO RESTORATION WITHOUT RECONCILIATION! NO RECONCILIATION WITHOUT CONFESSION, REMORSE, AND REPENTENCE!
So the process should start with the offender confessing their sin and reconciling with the offended. If the offender doesn't start the process, then the offended one should privately confront the offender ( Matthew 5: 21 - 26). If the offender doesn't confess and repent, bring in a witness or two into a second confirmation. If the offender, persists in not confessing and repenting, take the matter to the local congregation. If the offender still does not repent, then treat him like a nonbeliever until he does (Matthew 18: 15 - 20). That is, treat him as one who never believed. Do not condemn, but seek his conversion.
What we covered to the point is the process for individual believers. This has been a primarily private process. When a minister is the offender, then things get a bit more complicated. In Part 4, I brought up Paul's instruction in 1st Timothy 5: 17 - 22 about accusations against elders. It does require two witnesses to bring forth the charges.
Whether or not the offender is a paid minister or rank-and-file disciple, if the offense is also a crime, then whenever someone becomes aware of the crime - CALL THE POLICE as soon as possible. If the offense involves a child victim, you must call for moral reasons, and in some jurisdictions, calling might be legally required if you are involved in ministry or leadership. As I said in Part 5, let the police handle the investigation, for they are, or have access to the people who now how to investigate such cases.
So, let's say the offender is a paid minister. If they have not committed a crime, then the outcome of the process would be the same as for an ordinary member of the congregation. If the minister does not repent, he is then put out of fellowship and ministry. But if he has been found guilty of a crime, let him finish his punishment, before dealing with the sin.
So, what if the minister has not committed a crime, but they have admitted to and repented of the sin they committed? What if the minister has confessed his sin and finished his punishment for a crime? Is the minister restored? Yes, and no.
Yes, for fellowship with the Lord. But ministry is another issue. One I will cover in Part 7. Until that time, I will give you a preview to meditate upon:
So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.
Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 1st Corinthians 3:21 - 4: 2 NASB 95
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