At virtually every gathering of pastors I've attended in the past year, the subject has come up. Either in general discussion or in private conversation, two or three names would be mentioned-prominent ministers who had stepped down after admitting some moral lapse.

The inevitable questions: Do you think he (or she) should return to ministry? Under what conditions?

The problem of lapsed leaders in the church is certainly nothing new. As early as A.D. 250, Cyprian, the bishop of Carthage, wrote The Lapsed, trying to address the problem. Perhaps his approach is worth reviewing.

Here was the situation facing Cyprian: For two hundred years the church had held a strict discipline, by today's standards, for any sins committed after baptism.

For example, the influential Shepherd of Hermas, written around 150, condemned the moral failings of the church: some deacons had appropriated funds given to them for charitable causes, and some elders were proud and even negligent. Forgiveness was not granted ...