When we learn of a moral scandal among ourselves, it’s easy to add our own mistakes to an already difficult problem. Sometimes we condemn fallen brothers or sisters and try to dodge the shared embarrassment by pushing them out of our lives. On other occasions we move too quickly through issues of apology, forgiveness, and restoration.

In the following pages, Ken Ellis, a professional counselor and Christian layman, describes a process to avoid the pitfalls that can make a bad situation worse.

Martin R. De Haan II