Bob Russell is senior minister at Southeast Christian Church.

The recent sex scandals that have shocked and embarrassed the Catholic Church should serve as a warning to Church leaders everywhere. We have a responsibility to live pure, blameless lives. It is horrible to commit immorality. It is even worse to use spiritual influence as leverage to do so. It is worse still for a Christian leader to lead young children into sin.

Jesus warned, "But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6).

The Apostle pleaded, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).

Avoid Immorality at All Costs

Church leaders must understand that we have an extremely high calling - it is absolutely imperative that we avoid sexual immorality.

That is especially true of children and youth workers. You are to set the example of moral purity. Your witness should be blameless. You also have a responsibility to report those under your umbrella of leadership who may violate what is proper. We not only have a legal but a spiritual obligation to do so.

Elders "who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning" (1 Timothy 5:20). It only compounds the problem if the sin is covered up.

Rather than cluck our tongues and shake our heads in disbelief about the tragic violations of propriety in the Catholic Church, we would be wise to examine the behavior and practices among the leadership in our own churches.

Since immorality and greed are pervasive, we can anticipate similar accusations soon crossing denominational lines. The adversary will make every attempt to paint all Christian leaders with the same brush.

Leaders Must Take Precautions

Church leaders should take every precaution to see that young people under their care are taught God's Word in a safe, protected environment. That includes the careful screening of children's workers. Anyone with a questionable background should not be permitted to work with children in any capacity.

It's wise to require a two adult rule for every classroom - including restroom breaks. Many churches are now taking all their teachers and helpers through child safety training and informing them about appropriate expressions of affection.

If you are called and gifted to teach children, you have a high calling. Jesus loved little children and His church should too. But let's love them so much that we protect them from harm and teach them by example as well as by verbal testimony. James cautions us, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." (James 3:1)

While there are inherent dangers, there's also a wonderful reward promised to those who fulfill their spiritual leadership faithfully. "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:4).

Bob Russell is an accomplished preacher at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., and author of 13 books. His latest, released in June 2002, is titled "Jesus Lord of Your Personality." His sermons are heard several times weekly on "The Living Word" a nationally syndicated radio program. He also writes a weekly column in The Lookout, a magazine printed by Standard Publishing.