Wilbert Gordon was the bi-vocational pastor of Smack Run Baptist Church and the CEO of Reliance Electronics. Pastor Wil served SRBC for many years and had a good reputation in the community. Those who knew him well told about a godly man who put Christ first in all things. His name among Baptists and other denominational leaders was well respected.

Every year Pastor Wil took two weeks off from his duties with the congregation to focus on end-of-year matters at Reliance. These two weeks were baked into his leadership at SRBC and the church was glad to give him the time away. During one of these periods, he met Janice Reed, a consultant for an outside accounting firm Reliance brought in to do their yearly audit.

She was a bit older, married, and very attractive. They behaved professionally toward each other in the office, but when extra hours were needed his guard fell down. He quickly found himself involved in an affair. Pastor Wil knew it was wrong, but couldn’t stop himself, and she didn’t give him reason to.

Eventually, the private affair became public gossip. Smack Run asked him to resign or face removal. Janice divorced her husband and moved in with Wilbert. Eventually, they moved away and relocated to Mobile, Alabama.

How do we explain sin—blatant, obvious sin—in those who not only know Christ but are devoted to serving Him?

Why is it important to at least try to explain how godly people fail?

What could Wilbert have done to prevent this? Or, after the fact, to correct it?