Christian Therapist Tells Clergy to Come Clean of Sexual Sin
A noted Christian therapist developed a forum for clergy struggling with sexual addiction. The therapist's main piece of advice: come clean.
Dr. Harry W. Schaumburg specializes in the treatment of sexual addiction and heads a facility, Stone Gate, in Colorado that has drawn over 2,000 laity and clergy from the U.S. and around the world. Following last year's sex scandal of prominent evangelical Ted Haggard, Schaumburg's latest effort is a one-day forum called Clergy Link.
With the support of Promise Keepers, the nation's largest men's ministry, and Focus on the Family, one of the most influential Christian organizations promoting traditional families, Clergy Link addresses the widespread struggle of pornography and related behaviors.
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"We're in a real crisis," Schaumburg told an audience of 170 pastors at Crossroads Church in Thornton, Colo., on Monday, according to Rocky Mountain News. "Sexual sin is something that's done in secret, but when God exposes, it's in the broad daylight."
The therapist warned clergy, who came from evangelical, mainline and Catholic churches, that those hiding sexual sin would be discovered, guaranteed.
"So I am begging you - come forward now."
His talk comes months after Haggard was let go from his lead pastoral role at the 14,000-member New Life Church in Colorado Springs. A former male prostitute had alleged that Haggard paid him for sex and drugs for three years. Haggard, who also resigned as head of the National Association of Evangelicals, confessed to "sexual immorality" and to purchasing methamphetamine, but said he did not use it.
Weeks after Haggard stepped down, another New Life pastor admitted to sexual misconduct and resigned in December. Christopher Beard headed the "twentyfourseven" ministry that taught leadership skills to young adults, and told church officials about misconduct with another unmarried adult several years ago.
"Pastors are set up (for temptation) because the job is lonely, they often meet with a lack of gratitude and appreciation, and they neglect their personal life and marriages," Schaumburg told Rocky Mountain News.
He added that clergy are tempted to take sexual advantage of vulnerable admirers and pride and arrogance that comes with the job allows sexual addiction to take hold.
Reports have indicated that sexual addiction is the most prevalent addictions in the United States. As much as 50 percent of lay men and clergy said they viewed porn within the past year, as of May 2006, and an estimated 8-10 percent of the U.S. population are sex addicts, according to Mike Richards, Jr., director of Recovery Ministries for International Bible Society (IBS).
IBS released a new resource - The Journey of Recovery - last year that presents real accounts from people who struggled with addiction.
Humility, Schaumburg says, is essential to sexual recovery.
In the latest report on Haggard, the former evangelical leader is preparing to leave Colorado Springs, according to the Los Angeles Times, after having received three weeks of counseling. Haggard had agreed to continue counseling sessions when he relocates.
