New sex scandal hits Assemblies of God

Another sex scandal has hit the Assemblies of God denomination. This time, it is not a televangelist, but an elected official who presided over the discipline of ministers who have committed moral failings.

John M. Palmer, general secretary of the General Council of the Assemblies of God since November, 2007, has resigned his position, effective immediately. According to General Superintendent George O. Wood, Palmer confessed to a one-time incident that involved "ethical misconduct" and an "inappropriate interaction with a woman" that did not involve any physical intimacy.

"We are deeply saddened by this failure," said Wood. "We ask for prayer for John and Debbie and their family. John has had a sterling record in the Assemblies of God as a church planter, pastor, and national leader. This failure on his part is an aberration from a lifetime of faithful service to the Lord, his family and our Fellowship. While his ministry as general secretary is concluded, I trust that at a future time, following a period of rehabilitation yet to be determined, his ministry within our Fellowship will continue with great effectiveness."

The office of General Secretary is one of only four highest resident Executive Presbytery positions at the denomination's headquarters in Springfield, Missouri. The function of General Secretary is to maintain a list of member churches and ministers, including ministers who have been dismissed or otherwise disciplined because of moral failure. Ministers accused of sexual misconduct face sanctions ranging from rehabilitation for a period of two years or outright dismissal from the church. This may be the only time in the Pentecostal denomination's 95 year history that a General Secretary was involved in a moral scandal. The Assemblies of God is the second largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States at 2.3 million members and adherents.