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The position of a pastor is supposed to be one of strength, Christ-likeness and trust. Yet Christians in America are witnessing a horrific trend of pastors betraying the trust of their congregants and committing horrific crimes.
Recently, a criminal complaint was filed in an Austin, Texas federal court. It accuses David Lloyd Walther, 56, of knowingly searching for, downloading, distributing and possessing child pornography.
Walther was the pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Round Rock, Texas when the he allegedly committed these heinous crimes.
Authorities conducted a search of Walther’s home and vehicle, finding two large hard drives that contained child pornography.
Walther allegedly distributed the content online using BitTorrent. According to pcmag.com, “BitTorrent isn’t just a program—it’s a peer-to-peer (p2p) protocol that any program can use.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 9 Walther was arrested and formally charged with distribution, receipt, transportation and possession of child pornography.
This troubling trend, and the demonic spirits behind it, does not limit itself to one particular church or denomination either. It will try and take a hold of whoever it can wherever it can, and ruin not just that person’s life, but continue the abuse these innocent children are suffering with the distribution of such evil material.
It hits many believers especially hard when a pastor or a trusted person of authority in the church commits these crimes. And in turn highlights the absolute necessity of thoroughly vetting someone before they take the reins as a pastor of the church.
The Bible says that this type of position is not for everyone. In James 3:1 Christians are warned, “My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment.” And the judgement shall be harsh for the person who commits these crimes against the children that God holds so dear to His heart.
Paul also writes, repeatedly, how teachers and elders must be above reproach in how they live their lives. If they do not have a solid foundation beneath their feet, they will quickly fall before the assault of the enemy.
So, pray for your pastors, because the enemy wants to destroy them. Pray for the churches and victims who suffer from crimes like this, that the Lord renews and restores them with His perfect love. Take a stand against the evil in this world that would see the church crumble from the inside. Be the salt and the spread the light in the growing darkness so that situations like this become non-existent within Jesus’ church. {eoa}
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
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