11. If I were to commit adultery, I would bring continual shame to my children every time they had to explain why their father was no longer in ministry—or why he was no longer together with their mother.
12. I would create destructive and continually tempting mental memories that would cultivate unhealthy lust and negatively affect future intimacy with my wife.
13. I would squander all of the money, time, effort and pain that have gone into my
preparation for and development in the pastoral ministry.
14. I would seriously disappoint those godly leaders who have faithfully invested themselves in me (e.g., professors, pastors, mentors and relatives).
15. I would bring shame to the college and seminary from which I graduated, tarnishing their reputation and squandering their investment in my theological education and character development.
16. I would deeply wound and embarrass my parents, whose loving instruction, sacrificial investment and current delight in the positive course of my life would be horribly violated by my decision to commit adultery.
17. I would significantly damage the solid ministry foundation and tarnish the wholesome legacy of my faithful predecessors of my current ministry.
18. I would bring long-term disrepute to the positive reputation of my church in the community, hindering future ministry to people in this area.
19. I would undermine the credibility and effort of other Christian ministries and leaders in my city, adding to the climate of mistrust that continues to expand with each story of moral failure.
20. I would violate the precious trusting relationship with my leadership board, causing difficulty for them into the future as they seek to lead the congregation and causing a potential spirit of mistrust on their part toward future senior pastors at this church.
21. I would destroy my credibility and relationship with staff members who have faithfully supported me and responded to my leadership. A revelation of duplicity at this level would wound them deeply and would hinder even their own leadership among the flock.
22. I would bring underserved difficulty and pain to my ministry successor and his family, as they would be forced to reap what I have sown in their attempt to salvage the church and clean up the mess I would have made.
23. I would deeply wound all those who have been saved, discipled, equipped, counseled and prayed for under my ministry, causing disappointment and disillusionment for some.
