Christians, do you think a registered sex offender should be allowed to be an ordained minister?

NO. God can, and does, deliver people from hideous things. And God can change and forgive someone. But, that person still should perhaps not be a pastor of a "flock".

Such a man, if he really is saved and changed- he might work with a mission who works with the homeless or the like but not to families.

It doesn't take much to be listed as a sex offender. I heard of one case the other day where two boys in their early teens had sex together. One of them admitted he was gay, and was listed as a sex offender. The other denied being gay, and was not listed. The one kid will have the label of sex offender following him all his life (unless the law changes), for consensual sexual activity with someone his own age.

So before answering whether or not a registered sex offender should be an ordained minister, I would want to know if we are talking something harmless that happened when he was a kid, or if we are talking pedophile or rapist.

Honestly, I have very mixed feelings about it.

@ Bill, read the article, the guy raped and sodomized an 11 year old boy.

I suggest restricting his ministry to adult sex offenders. He can then be God's instrument in reaching out to modern day lepers. If this guy can bring sex offenders to Christ it will preclude them from molesting children. I have written an article titled, "Saving Pedophiles Through Jesus Christ"; if you want a copy send me a personal e mail.

Jesus would never reject a born-again sex offender, but He certainly would protect the children.

Pedophilia is incurable perversion. Scientists have tried for 50 years without success. Not one has been healed. I think the common man has lost even a cursory understanding of "perversion". Oh well, we do not learn from history, so we get to, once again, learn from experience!

Holy crap, I thought that story was about my dad for a second...

Sex offenders hide in churches for this very reason. They are validated, accepted, forgiven, and ultimately...put back into a position where they can hurt another.

Think of the alternative. Do you want the government regulating ministers?

Probably not a good thing, but I guess it's the church's decision.

Absolutely not.

Being a minister is committing a life to purity.

Yeah well I've heard of ministers like that already.

NO.

Anyone who violates the purity of someone should stay away.