Kim Gentes

Clergy sexual misconduct is a complex topic. Attempting to identify, prevent and even confront it is even more arduous. In their book, “Betrayal of Trust: Confronting and Preventing Clergy Sexual Misconduct”, Stanley Grenz and Roy Bell attempt to tackle the gambit of definition, identification, prevention and confrontation of this topic, and they succeed. Grenz and Bell take a decidedly clinical approach to the book, rather than primarily a theological or pastoral vantage point (they do deal with the issue as it relates to pastors and their church communities, but most insight, sources, support and direction comes from the clinical arena).  This gives the text credence to the professional therapeutic community, as well as the clergy world.  While the book clearly articulates ethical implications of clergy sexual misconduct, it also investigates the far reaching effects on all parties involved- the victims, the pastor-offender, the pastor family, the local church congregation and even the broader representation of the pastoral offender as they stand as a representative Christ to the world/broader community.

For me, the most profound contribution of the book was to show (through numerous examples) that the definition of sexual misconduct is centered in the power granted (and used) by the offender via their position, status or trust in the local church community.  It is, then, from this position of power that misconduct is carried out, both because of its ability for the man in power to compel an opportunity for the woman to receive his advances and for the further use of that power to enforce an atmosphere of silence. Quoting psychologist Peter Rutter, the entire book is hinged on this specifically defined understand of sexual misconduct:

“any behavior by a man in power within what I define as the forbidden zone is inherently exploitive[sp] of a woman’s trust.”[1]

and

“sexual conduct between men in power and women under their care.”[2]

This definition of sexual misconduct as being rooted in a man’s position of power is crucial to identifying, preventing and challenging the behavior, as the author’s demonstrate by numerous examples. The first chapter of the book begins with explaining the extent to which misconduct has spread through all denominations and spheres of the Christian church. After that, the chapter identifies the scope of the problem across a range of spheres which such misconduct will impact- the pastor, the family, the church, the victim, and the gospel itself.

The second chapter explores the categorizations and situations in which a pastor can be “at risk” for sexual misconduct.  Chapters three and four explore the definitions and implications to which sexual misconduct is a betrayal of the trust and a misuse of power on the part of the offender.  In this section, the authors essentially place all responsibility for sexual misconduct between a minister and a congregant firmly on the shoulders of the minister. They quote Marie Fortune (which concurs with several other cited sources) by saying succinctly:

“it is the man’s responsibility, no matter what the level of provocation or apparent consent by the woman, to assure that sexual behavior does not take place.”[3]

Through a series of layered, logical arguments about power, authority and trust, the authors establish that the above is not only true, but is almost exclusively a male problem.[4] While not stating that it is inherently a male causation at work in the issue, the problem is due to the inequities of positions of power (both clergy and otherwise) being so dominated by men. Since power is at the base of the problem, people in power are the source of the misconduct.

The book goes on to make several helpful observations about how to minister to various groups of victims, recommendations and methodologies for prevention of misconduct, and even church response and possible guidelines for (church) governmental policies that may be helpful. All these items seem helpful.

One other very helpful point made by the book comes in the form of a listing of three proto-typical offenders of sexual misconduct: the predator, the wanderer, and the lover. While the stereotypes aren’t perfect, they articulate well the kind of people who may offend and what options we can consider in dealing with them.  Most poignantly, the wanderer seems to be potentially the most effective area to focus our efforts at prevention and restoration.  This is a helpful way to think about the issue, since it seems a fairly even-handed and thoughtful evaluation of what kinds of people may offend the privilege of the clergy position, for what reasons they might do so and how they might be equipped to avoid such offence.

That said, there were parts of the book that didn't seem complete or evenhanded. While understanding that clergy power certainly holds sway over congregants, there were three areas that intend power over a local church that are poised for the possibility of misconduct, but are not dealt with in this book. Other positions of possible misconduct are: spouse of minister, church boards and their members, and influential patrons of the local church.  Each of these positions hold possible power in local churches, none of which was dealt with in the book. I see that as a weakness of an otherwise excellent book.

That said, the majority of the book is insightful, compelling and helpful for churches and ministers. The oversights I have mentioned would have improved the book, but ultimately didn't deter from the book's effectiveness in the areas it attended to. For people with roles as pastoral leaders in church team, the most helpful thing to be learned from this book was the relationship of position/power to the potentiality of misconduct- that the minister is inherently endued with control in relationship to a congregant vis-à-vis the locus of power attendant to their position. Along with this control comes the corresponding responsibility for any and all actions of sexual misconduct between pastor to congregant.

Book Product link: Betrayal of Trust: Confronting and Preventing Clergy Sexual Misconduct

Review by

Kim Gentes

[1] Stanley J. Grenz & Roy D. Bell, “Betrayal of Trust: confronting and preventing clergy sexual misconduct”, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books 2001), Pg 17

[2] Ibid., Pg 17

[3] Ibid., Pg 94

[4] Ibid., Pg 17,19