Yes, Ellen White wrote extensively on the importance of accountability for church leaders, including pastors, and the severe consequences of failing to address sin, including sexual misconduct. She emphasized that those in positions of authority are held responsible not only for their own actions but also for the purity of the church. Here are several key principles from her writings on this topic: ### **Accountability for Not Reproving Sin** Ellen White is very clear that leaders who fail to confront wrongdoing share in the guilt. She uses the biblical example of Eli, the high priest who did not restrain his wicked sons. > "God held Eli, as a priest and judge of Israel, accountable for the moral and religious standing of his people, and in a special sense for the character of his sons... Those who have too little courage to reprove wrong, or who through indolence or lack of interest make no earnest effort to purify the family or the church of God, are held accountable for the evil that may result from their neglect of duty. We are just as responsible for evils that we might have checked in others by exercise of parental or pastoral authority as if the acts had been our own." (PP 578.2) > "When existing evils are not met and checked, because men have too little courage to reprove wrong, or because they have too little interest or are too indolent to tax their own powers in putting forth earnest efforts to purify the family or the church of God, they are accountable for the evil which may result in consequence of neglect to do their duty." (4T 516.3) ### **The Problem of Concealed Sin Among Ministers** She acknowledged that sexual sin was a problem even among ministers in her day and warned against concealing such behavior under a "cloak of godliness." > "The nominal churches of this day are filled with fornication and adultery, the result of base, lustful passion, but these things, to a great extent, are kept covered. Ministers, in high places, are guilty, yet a cloak of godliness covers their dark deeds, and they pass on from year to year in their course of hypocrisy." (SA 140.2) ### **Warning Against Corrupt Leaders** Drawing from the Apostle Paul's warnings, she cautioned that corrupt individuals would arise from within the church's own leadership to harm the flock. > "In order to cover his corrupt life and make his sins appear harmless, this man will bring up instances recorded in the Bible where good men have fallen under temptation. Paul met with just such men in his day, and the church has been cursed with them in all ages... 'Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God... For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.'" (5T 141.3) ### **The Process for Bringing an Accusation** While stressing the need for accountability, she also upheld the biblical process for addressing accusations against a church leader, ensuring that the process is fair and not based on mere rumor. > "The Bible specially teaches us to beware of lightly bringing accusation against those whom God has called to act as His ambassadors... And Paul, in his instruction for those who are placed over the church, says, 'Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.' 1 Timothy 5:19." (PP 386.1) In summary, Ellen White’s counsel calls for a high standard of moral purity for pastors. It places a heavy responsibility on the church and its leadership to address sin courageously and justly, warning that failing to do so makes them accountable for the resulting evil.