The Tenderness Trap

In this article, Jim Newheiser discusses the issue of pastoral sexual indiscretion. Newheiser argues that pastors often fall into sexual sin not because they go looking for sexual sin but by falling into the “tenderness trap,” becoming emotionally involved with women they counsel. He traces the progression by which a fall gradually comes about, offers 5 ground rules for avoiding the tenderness trap and concludes with advice to those who have fallen and to fellow leaders. A brief response to this article is given by Chuck Bridger in “Letter to the Editor” in JBC 14:3.