Ray, I admire your courage in confessing your shortcomings.  And I am certain that many "fallen" former pastors need to hear your empathy and sympathy as they recover from their sin.  

I've read your blog and the comments.  But I disagree with the premise that a pastor who has committed adultery can be restored to ministry.  Ministry is not a right; it's a privilege that can be lost.  

There is no place in Scripture that says the call the church leadership is irrevocable.  In fact, it can be lost.  If it could not be lost, then Paul would not have set forth the qualifications for overseers and deacons (1 Tim 3).  Judas Iscariot was once called by Jesus to be one of The Twelve.  Judas forfeited that privilege.  Paul was keenly aware that preachers could be disqualified from that calling (1 Cor 9:27).  And Jesus had a dire warning for those causing another person to sin (Lk 17:1-3).  These are but a few of the pieces of Scripture's standards for those aspiring to church leadership.  

And to the verses you cited (John 8:1-11), they relate to forgiveness of sin, not to restoration of ministry after self-disqualification.  I know that God has forgiven you.  And more power to you and thank God for your wife's love and grace and forgiveness.  I hope that all "fallen" pastors experience the support that you have.  

But forgiveness and restoration to church leadership are not one and the same.  Your salvation is intact, but not your calling to lead the church again.  I have a seminary degree (and a law degree) and so I can say this: it doesn't take a rocket scientist to lead the church.  Pastors do not need to be brilliant.  But they need to be faithful and obedient.  A pastor loses his qualifications to lead the church by adultery.  We respect our pastors not because they are geniuses, but because they obey God.  They are to be imitators of Christ.  

There was a reason why Billy Graham categorically refused to be with any woman that was not his wife.  The Reverend Graham's practices became policy in what is still known as the "Billy Graham" Rule.  It may be challenging at times to adhere to it, but certainly not impossible.  

And for the pastors who have been "restored" to ministry by their congregations and who believe that they are now even MORE qualified to minister after they committed adultery, it is written that the heart is "deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?" (Jer 17:9).  Our subjective rationalizations about our sin do not supersede God's objective hatred for sin.  

I know that you have thought about and struggled with this issue more than I have.  And I thank you for keeping an open mind and permitting me to post this comment and for being willing to engage in dialogue about this matter.  I am not writing this intending to change your perspective about "post-fall" ministry.  

But I do not understand how "post-fall" ministry can be rationalized when Scripture and common sense indicate otherwise.  To rationalize a "fallen" minister's restoration back to the pulpit is contrary to the Word of God and denigrates the call to ministry and diminishes the obedience of the many pastors who minister faithfully to their flock and families.  

Ray, may God bless you and your family.  May your life and marriage prosper.  If we never meet in person this side of eternity, we will in the next.  Thank you for hearing me out.  

Andrew