Pornography: Help for Churches and Leaders

Pornography is a pervasive yet largely unaddressed problem in today’s world, including the church. Some pastors and other church leaders have fallen victim to the use of pornography. Cases have occurred in the United States, Canada and overseas. 

The issue can be detrimental not only to pastors, leaders, and their families, but also to ministries, congregations, and communities. 

In its position statement on pornography, the Christian Reformed Church has urged all members who use pornographic material to arouse sexual desire to recognize that doing so is a sin. Churches are urged to teach the biblical perspective on human sexuality and encourage them to become involved with organizations that are working to stem the tide of pornography. 

The CRC has addressed this issue in the past through its several offices which see the impact of improper behavior, usually after the fact. Safe Church, Pastor-Church Relations and the Office of Social Justice can all play a role (and often have) in the restoration process for a leader, family, church and community impacted by pornography and related abusive sexual behavior.

Recently, Think Christian, a production of Back to God Ministries International published a blog describing the future of internet pornography, The approaching scourge of virtual-reality porn. It is a sobering view of how this issue is becoming more intractable.

In addition, the Board of Trustees of the CRCNA was instructed to develop a plan to assist churches in increasing awareness, understanding, confession, and healing in relation to pornography. 

A number of resources are available to leaders as they address and confront pornography and its related ill effects. They include:

1.    Faith Alive Christian Resources book, ‘Just One Click’ 

2.    Pastor Church Resources consultations

3.    Canada-only resources:

• Congregational Assistance Plan (CAP) - Shalem Counselling Group
• Clergy Care Network (Focus on the Family)
• The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada Pornography Resources esp the Battling Pornography produced in 2017: (a 40 pagebooklet for use n a church's small group ministries)

4.    Internet accountability software can also be purchased and used either on a single computer, or for an entire church office. Examples include:

• x3watch.com
• Accountable2You.com
• CovenantEyes.com
• OpenDNS.com

5.    Current crcna.org web links on the issue include:

• The CRC position statement on pornography
• A Safe Church bulletin insert on Internet pornography

6.   Articles in The Banner:

• Seminary Panel Tackles “Blight of Pornography”
• Ontario Congregation Faces Pornography Issue

7.   A Network post: A Support Group for Ministers Dealing With Pornography