Pastor tells his flock his sins

The Rev. Brian James says he is taking a leave because of an online porn addiction.

By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
Published December 17, 2007

Parishioners leave St. James United Methodist Church in New Tampa after the 10:30am service Sunday. The Rev. Brian James confessed his addiction to online adult pornograhy and said he had "not lived up to the sacred vows of ministry entrusted to me."
	[Ken Helle | Times]

TAMPA - Worshipers at one of the morning services at St. James United Methodist watched intently as the Rev. Brian James stepped up to the pulpit to address the congregation. Before he even began speaking, some, including robed members of the choir, reached for their tissues and dabbed their eyes.

This was the man they had trusted with their faith, their families and their own confessions. This was their guiding leader in the prominent New Tampa church that defines itself by the slogan, "Imperfect people ... following Jesus ... Into the World."

And now James had an imperfection of his own to disclose.

"I have preached, taught, visited, married, buried, I even administrated a little, but have not lived up to the sacred vows of ministry entrusted to me," James said, as he read from a prepared statement. "I need to share with you that I have developed an addiction to adult online pornography."

The revelation came as no surprise to most who attended Sunday services. News of the pastor's addiction spread quickly after he told the Staff Parish Relations committee last Monday. Still, many in the crowd wept as James - a husband, father of four and seven-year leader of the 1,400-member congregation - delivered his statement in a shaky voice.

James, 45, announced he would take an indefinite voluntary leave of absence to address his problem. He and his family will be able to stay in their church-owned home for up to three months.

In the meantime, United Methodist Church has hired a computer consulting firm to inspect James' office and computer.

"They're just trying to see the extent of the problem and make sure none of it is, God forbid, criminal in nature," Erik Alsgaard, communications director for United Methodist Church's Florida Conference, said Sunday.

James has not been accused of any crimes.

Albert Blomquist, supervisor of the South Central District, which oversees 89 Methodist churches, issued a statement saying, "Obviously, this is not acceptable behavior for a pastor. These actions are very serious. ... They raise serious questions."

Church officials have declined to say how James' online pornography habit came to light, though he revealed in his statement Sunday that "some members of this wonderful staff" became aware of the issue and went to church leadership.

"Some members came to him and said there were some problems," Alsgaard said. "He admitted his guilt, and church leaders took it from there."

Church members declined to comment about the situation, and some reacted angrily toward members of the media who covered Sunday's services. The congregation appeared supportive and sympathetic toward James, who has helped the church grow into a major presence in the affluent, master-planned community over the last decade.

Three years ago, he successfully challenged his members to raise $1-million in 10 days to expand the church. The church also opened the area's first Christian nightclub for teens in an empty Krispy Kreme building on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

For now, services will be conducted by the Rev. Bert Blomquist of Plant City, the Methodists' district superintendent for the Tampa-Lakeland area. The church appointed the Rev. Riley Short as an interim pastor from Dec. 30 through July.

Once James feels that he has completed treatment and is recovering from his addiction, he must go before the Board of the Ordained Ministry of the Florida Conference to be eligible for appointment as a pastor again.

"I have no plans beyond laying all things down before my Lord and waiting upon him," James said. "If it is ministry that he hands back to me someday, then I will hold onto it in a more healthy way than I have in days past."

James ended his speech with the popular chant, "God is good," to which the congregation replied, "All the time."

As he stepped down from the pulpit and joined the congregation for the rest of the service, they rose to their feet and applauded.

Emily Nipps can be reached at nipps@sptimes.com or 813 226-3431.

[Last modified December 16, 2007, 21:51:21]