A pastor commits sexual sin, a seminary president abuses power, a ministry organization’s director embezzles: if fired, nothing prevents them from another job in the same field.

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In California, on the other hand, a judge removed from the bench for misconduct is barred forever from being a judge again. (“A judge removed by the commission is ineligible for judicial office ... .” California Constitution, Article 6, section 18.)

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The issue is not whether the judge might one day prove able again to do the job of judging. It’s that no one knows if the person once thought trustworthy won’t breach the trust again. The job is too important to take the chance.

Should the same apply to pastors, etc.?

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