KEN GARFIELD Second chances end for pastor

Lane Hurley didn't tell me the whole story when he explained why he was resigning from Matthews United Methodist in 1994 and withdrawing from the denomination.
As he spoke eloquently about the stress of ministry driving him from the pulpit, he left out the part about being accused of sexual misconduct over an extramarital affair.
In the tragic demise of the ministry of Lane Hurley, an affair turned out to be the least of his problems.
Hurley, 53, was convicted in early May in Carlisle, Pa., of sexually assaulting his niece. The crimes occurred in 1997 when he was staying with her family. The victim was 10 at the time. The jury convicted him on all four counts.
Hurley, who lives in Norfolk, Va., is free on bond, awaiting sentencing. He faces at least five years in prison. In a faxed statement, he said the loss of his Methodist credentials stemmed from adult sexual relationships. He denied being a pedophile, claimed his innocence and said he will appeal his conviction.
Hurley has been gone from Charlotte, N.C., for seven years -- he most recently led First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Norfolk before resigning to prepare for his trial. Still, his fall has stunned many.
Positive legacy
During his decade at Matthews United Methodist, he helped bring in 2,000 new members. His magnetism turned a suburban church into a megachurch. His charm won people's trust and faith.
"Lane did my dad's funeral," said church member Fred DeVore III, chairman of the administrative board at Matthews when Hurley was there. "To this day, he was the most charismatic and moving minister I've ever heard. He had a remarkable gift."
Retired United Methodist Bishop Bevel Jones, in charge when Hurley turned in his credentials in 1994, said the pastor's strength ultimately became his weakness: The way he drew people to him. The way he could win them over.
"He was so gifted, such an attractive person," Bishop Jones said. "He's a sad creature."
What he said
When I think of Lane Hurley, I think about our conversation at a bagel joint in 1994, when he held me spellbound with tales of how hard it is to be a preacher. I also remember him telling me there was no hidden motivation to his quitting, no charges of wrongdoing.
Then I think of the sermon he gave a year later at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), just before he was hired to lead the congregation in Charlotte.
He had lost one congregation, but found another full of people willing to place their trust in him. He stayed about a year before leaving.
"The cross is a cross of new beginnings, of second chances," Hurley preached that Sunday in February 1995.
For Hurley, second chances have run out.
XKen Garfield is the religion editor at The Charlotte Observer.