This whole issue of sin in a congregation is a little confused. Think about how different the expectation with respect to sin are for clergy and for members of the congregation.
It is assumed that clergy are experts on sin but never enjoy it.
It is assumed that members of congregations are ignorant about the nature of sin but enjoy all its benefits.
If a congregant comes to the pastor and says, “I’ve sinned and done terrible things. I don’t know why I did such horrible things.”, the pastor is to respond, “There, there, my child, don’t be so hard on yourself. God understands that we are fallible humans and God forgives you. Try to do better next time.”
If a pastor is discovered to be sinning, especially with respect to sex or finances, the congregation responds, “Fire the so and so. Run him out of town on a rail.”
“We expect better from our clergy. How dare they expect to be saved by the grace of God.”
On the serious side of this I have not figured out where pastors get the authority to declare someones sins forgiven. Except possibly to enhance their popularity with the congregation. Next, a pastor who has not been caught sinning yet, expects at least the respect do Paul. Many times it is not the sin, that receives no sympathy for the pastor, it is the hypocrisy that gets no sympathy. Black Sheep
Black Sheep
On another blog I’ve tried to deal more seriously with the total sense of betrayal that a congregation feels when their pastor commits a serious breach of trust — most often sexual or financial. You are correct that a major issue is the hypocrisy. However, in both the pastor and the congregational members, there is a latent sense of perfection that seems to be expected.
The irony is that this contradicts most of the biblical story. From the beginning, God effected reconciliation not through perfect people or perfect communities. From Abraham through the disciples and on into church history, the difference is not that we are better than others. At our best, we recognize that our life is less than perfect and we want to do better.
In offering forgiveness,it isn’t the pastor’s authority. Rather s/he is seeking to be the visible vehicle of Christ’s forgiveness. My experience is that being the vehicle of Christ’s forgiveness didn’t make me popular. It’s hard for people to accept God’s forgiveness.
The core of our faith is grace. We would be better off if we all began with the assumption that each of us is a Black Sheep, and God loves us anyway.