Should Bishop Eddie Long Step Down from His Position at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church?

Is it time for Bishop Eddie Long to step down from his ministry? Should he step down and allow his church to heal? Can he continue to 'lead' his faithful followers who believed in his ministry? The Bible clearly tells us that judgment will begin in the house of God.

"The Judgment of God begins with the house of God"(Revelations 2:3). "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (1st Peter 4:17)"

For years, we have seen ministers taken down by their conflicting lifestyles. We have seen them strongly attack lifestyles of which they are involved. We have seen mega churches crumble due to the disgrace and guilt of their leader. Some of these men have confessed their guilt, accepted their punishment and moved on. Some have vehemently denied the accusations. Whatever the case might be, the church and it's members feel the hurt, the shame and definitely take a hit.

When a man such as Bishop Eddie Long holds the highest position in a ministry, has his reputation tarnished such as Bishop Long, he should consider what is best for his ministry. He should first and foremost determine what should be done to remove the focus from his sheep and allow them to continue seeking God without conflict.

At this tenure in his ministry, Bishop Long cannot effectively lead his followers. Most are wondering what is the truth behind the accusations. A large portion will offer their support, but have questions as to what really took place. Unless Bishop Long confesses his sins, man will never know exactly what transpired between the young men and Bishop Long.

What we do know is that today, at this time, Bishop Long is negatively affected. The majority are blasting him publicly and privately. Others are mildly and quietly waiting to see the outcome.

We know that his followers are being sought for their comments and opinions. we know that those who initially trusted in the innocence of Bishop Long are now even wondering what happened. He is weakening and his sermons are beginning to seem as though a confession is offered: forgiveness is being sought.

We know that Bishop Long is a man. He can and will have times of weakness; times of indiscretions. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 "we all have sinned, none is perfect and all have fallen short of the glory of God." We know that Bishop Long had a lapse in judgment that has resulted in actions causing the fall of a ministry.

My plea to Bishop Long: "In every man's life the rain will fall. It falls on the just as well as the unjust. Your rain is falling. The storms might not have come yet, but the torrential downpours began when the accusations were made. These downpours will continue until either your innocence is proven or the public grows uninterested. For years and maybe forever, when your name is mentioned or published, someone, somewhere will remember and bring this back to the forefront. You have had a very long tenure in your church. You helped many to find the Lord. You helped to draw souls to Christ. You have performed great works in His name. Your season might be over. Every man must realize his season's ending. So, when it is time to move on, we must do so. If you have never sought Him before, and I hope you did, seek Him now. He is the only one you are required to, the only one you must confess your sins to. He, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God you proclaimed to serve is waiting for you to talk to Him!"

My prayers are with the members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, with Bishop Long's family and finally with Bishop Long. We cannot judge him because we all have something in our background we pray never lifts and reveals it's ugly head.