‘If we can’t talk about struggles with sin in church, where are we?’

God is still using me.”

As Brandon Watkins told his story of sexual addiction and recovery during the 2018 Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference on Nov. 12 that message of hope and grace rang through the sanctuary.

Watkins encouraged those in attendance to do two things: show grace, not condemnation, to those in their church struggling with sin; and open up about how they each are personally struggling.

“The Church should be a safe place where people can talk about their struggles,” he said. “If we can’t talk about struggles with sin in church, where are we going to talk about it?”

According to a 2016 study by Barna Group, more than 50 percent of pastors admit they currently struggle or have struggled with pornography, sexual addiction or infidelity at some point in their life. Watkins, a former worship pastor in Alabama, was one of them.

“I was scared that if I talked about it, I would lose my career and my family,” he said. “And ironically, because I didn’t talk about it that’s exactly what happened.”

Watkins believes that more churches need to build a culture of confession among the congregation and the staff.

“What if I would’ve sought out help?” he said. “What if I would’ve talked to my pastor before (my sin) got to the point that it did?”

What kept Watkins silent? Fear.

Fear of consequences and fear of condemnation. And pride. He hoped he could get through his struggles on his own — but he couldn’t.

“You can’t fix the problems you’re dealing with,” he said. “What if I would’ve taken the mask off and stopped feeling the pressure to make everybody think I’ve got it all together?”

Watkins hopes Christians can start showing other people the unconditional love that Jesus gives.

“Stop trying to fix them and point them to Jesus,” he said. “The gospel is what fixes people.”

No matter what the sin or the struggle, God can redeem everyone, even pastors, Watkins said.

Watkins admonished those in the crowd to confess their sins, whatever they may be and seek help.

God used Celebrate Recovery to rescue Watkins and he believes many others need that kind of help.

‘There is hope’

“There is hope in Jesus today,” he said. “May we be humble enough to allow the gospel that we preach and grace we declare to affect our lives as well.”

And God wasn’t done with Watkins. He now serves as pastor of worship and evangelism at Bagdad Baptist Church in Kentucky.

For more information on Celebrate Recovery or to find a group near you, visit www.celebraterecovery.com.