What About the Billy Graham Rule?
Should pastors and other Christian leaders follow the Billy Graham rule? This rule states that you should not spend time alone with someone of the opposite sex. This is meant to prevent falling into sexual sin or even the appearances of something wrong.
It seemed to do well for Billy Graham. Unlike many celebrity Christian leaders, he was able to complete his ministry without any major controversy.
There are some problems with the Billy Graham rule.
Should male pastors (and it is normally applied to men) see all women as a potential sex partner, whether initiated by the man or the woman? There is the possibility of this rule dismissing women as sex objects.
Another problem is about what it says about the male. Do we see ourselves as so sexually out of control that if we were left alone with a woman, sexual activity would naturally result? If so, there is a deeper problem than just being alone with a woman.
And then there is the issue of leaders falling into sin with someone of the same sex (this isn’t limited to those who identify as LGBTQ+). And what do you do when you are counselling someone who is transgender? Do you pair them with someone who matches their birth or identified gender?
I will admit that I have mixed feelings about the Billy Graham rule. I acknowledge all of the issues that have been mentioned and I would never insist that every leader MUST follow the Billy Graham rule.
And yet, when I do meet with someone of the opposite sex, I do so with caution. This is especially true of people I do not know well.
I do try to meet with women in public. If it is in my office, I always leave the door open and try to schedule it when someone else is in the building.
I do not see women as potential sex objects, nor do I see myself as a potential sex fiend.
However, I cannot ignore the number of people, both inside and outside the church, who have lost so much because of sexual misconduct. Using some caution doesn’t look like a waste of time and energy.
Is there still a place for the Billy Graham rule?
At the very least, there is room for caution that is inspired by the Billy Graham rule. There is some wisdom in it, even if doesn’t necessarily have to be a rule that would severely restrict ministry.
it seems you doubt your god to keep you safe. The bible doesn’t say “god helps those who help themselves”
With regard to the Billy Graham rule. I don’t think doubting God to keep us safe, really comes into it. The Lord never said we wouldn’t have trials, and if a man were to be alone with a woman (or gay man) he doesn’t know, this person could be emotionally upset, even unbalanced, and a kind word could be misconstrued. Problems for both parties would follow. As a woman with mental health problems myself, I have no problem saying this, because we are all different, I just suffer from chronic anxiety, but others may get attachment issues to a kindly male minister. I think it’s always better for everyone to have a safety net, the world’s a difficult place as it; so it’s better not to take chances, as it doesn’t just protect yourself, it protects the other person too, who may be vulnerable without your knowledge.
There’s plenty of people who trust the Lord to keep them healthy, and still get cancer. You see, Satan is the temporary god of this world, and until the Lord returns we have to accept things don’t always go the way we want. May God continue to bless you 🙏🙏🙏