William,

> Situation:
> 
> A man goes to jail for some very serious crimes. He professes faith 
> in jail
> and joins a church when released.
> 
> It then is revealed that there are many crimes for which he was not
> convicted. He did confess to 15 more crimes while in jail but 
> refused to
> provide the police with DNA evidence of help them resolve the 
> crimes.
> 
> The police begin a new investigation when it is revealed  that he 
> was in
> danger of relapse. He refuses to co-operate.
> 
> The crime - and diagnosis "predatory pedophilia". He had kidnapped 
> at knife
> point, and video taped for 5 hours, two boys and a girl, aged 8-10. 
> 
> 
> Later, he made a full confession to the church which turned out to 
> be very
> selective - blamed the crimes on drinking when the police reports 
> indicate
> sober premeditation - rented the camera the day before and prepared 
> the
> basement etc. - and he failed to mention the kidnapping and death 
> threats -
> or the fifteen other victims. At the time of his full confession he 
> had,
> without the knowledge of the pastor, been having children sleeping 
> over.
> 
> 
> 
> Questions: 
> 
> 1.        Should such be allowed as members?

        Answer:  Yes, but members are supposed to be believers.
Before any person is accepted as a member, his confession of
faith and his fruits need to be examined.  Since the time he first
declared himself to be a believer, how has that faith changed his
life?  

> 2.        What precautions if any, do we take?

        Answer:  He has nothing to do with any children or
youth ministry.  If he is a true believer, he should accept this
since it will reduce the temptations with which he struggles.

> 3.        Is true repentance indicated by restitution or 
> co-operation with the magistrates?

        Answer:  Definitely.  Believers are to confess their
sins to one another.  The only way this man can confess to
all of his victims is to come clean to the police.  And that
would include pleading guilty in court, if he is indeed guilty.

> 4.        If he refuses to co-operate with the police - they want 
> him to have a curfew and stay away from children and he is
> fighting the court order - and they want him to help solve the
> other 15 cases and do his time for them - is he then to be put
> under church discipline?

        Answer:  These issues need to be resolved before he
even becomes a member.  If he already is a member, then he
needs some lessons in Christian freedom and responsibility
and holiness.  

        There is a program in the state of Washington to treat
pedophiles.  It has a 13% success rate after about 16 years
of therapy.  Of course, that is all secular humanism.  The
Holy Ghost can change a pedophiles heart overnight.  If
He does, that man would be under His conviction and have
to confess everything.  If he won't confess, maybe his
confession is not all that sincere.

                                                        Jim