The Eternal Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina, has dismissed Pastor Donald Logan following a media revelation about his past sexual misconduct with a minor.

This action comes 27 years after Logan was convicted, exposing a previously undisclosed history to the church congregation, the Christian Post reported.

A Shocking Revelation Emerges

Nearly three decades after the incident, the dark past of Pastor Donald Logan came to light, causing a significant upheaval within the local congregation. Logan, who had led Eternal Church since 2015, was revealed to have been convicted in 1997 for a Class C felony involving a 14-year-old girl.

The incident involved inappropriate behavior during a movie where Logan was found guilty of assaulting the minor. The information remained undisclosed to most church members until recently, despite his conviction.

Past Actions and Legal Consequences

Logan received a three-year prison sentence and three years probation, with conditions including no unsupervised contact with minors, employment approval, restitution for the victim's counseling, and surrendering his minister's license. He served 18 months before being released.

In 2015, when Logan was hired as lead pastor, the hiring committee was unaware of his past. This lack of transparency later harmed the church's community presence and trust, as the elders acknowledged.

On July 10, an email revealing Logan's dismissal and the circumstances was sent to church members and later published by The Fort Mill Sun, bringing the situation to public attention.

Addressing the Congregation's Hurt

The elders of Eternal Church admitted their misconduct in failing to disclose critical information. "We failed to see how Don's conviction would affect him, his family, the victim, members, attenders, and the church's witness by not bringing it to light years ago," they stated.

To mend trust, the elders asked for forgiveness and emphasized their commitment to upholding their faith's core values despite the situation's challenges.

Belief in Redemption and Forgiveness

The church leaders emphasize redemption and forgiveness as central to their faith. "Despite recent events, we affirm the sufficiency of Jesus' death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin," the elders shared, quoting scripture.

They believe this extends to both the congregation and Logan, allowing them to extend forgiveness while protecting their community and upholding moral integrity.

Forgiveness Amidst Resignation

Despite the controversy, the church strives to balance accountability and the Christian doctrine of forgiveness. They must uphold biblical standards while managing pastoral leadership and public trust.

The decision to dismiss Logan was made with "much prayer and discernment around the biblical qualifications for overseers," according to official statements.

Looking Forward: Next Steps for the Community

No immediate plans have been disclosed for appointing a new pastor. However, the church is focused on healing and re-establishing trust among its members, which will likely be a critical agenda in the coming months.

Pastor Donald Logan's release by the Eternal Church marks a crucial point in the church's journey toward transparency and integrity. The incident has prompted deeper reflection within the congregation and leadership about their guiding standards and practices.