A Salvation Army leader threatened his wife after she caught him having sex with a co-worker in the religious charity's office.
Brian Murphy, 53, abused partner Sara, 49, when she walked in and found him naked with Eileen McCann, who also works for the Christian group.
The dad shouted and swore before following Sara when she ran from the premises in tears.
Now Murphy, who is also a part-time firefighter, faces losing his career with the charity and Scottish Fire and Rescue.
The incident happened in Greenock last August.
Murphy yesterday appeared at the town's sheriff court where he pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
The court heard Sara suspected Salvation Army branch boss Murphy was being unfaithful when he slurred his words during a phone call.
She found her husband and co-worker McCann's cars parked together when a friend drove her to the charity's building, the court was told.
Sara fell to her knees when she walked in on Murphy and McCann having sex on a mattress.
The pair were suspended by the Salvation Army after the incident.
The court heard Murphy and Sara had separated eight months earlier due to him having "inappropriate communications with a co-worker" but Murphy moved back to the marital home a month later.
But prosecutor Andrew Brown said that six weeks before the incident, Sara noticed Murphy was working late every night and "returning home intoxicated with alcohol".
He added: "She believed the accused was having an affair.
"At this time she observed the accused, Mr Murphy, naked, along with his co-worker, engaged in sexual intercourse.
"Mrs Murphy cried out and fell to the ground in grief.
"At this the accused stood up, pulled on his trousers and began to shout and swear at Mrs Murphy, 'get the f*** out of here' on numerous occasions.
"The accused then squared-up close to Mrs Murphy and shouted, 'get the f*** out'."
Sara phoned police and Murphy handed himself in the next day, telling officers: "It didn't happen. I probably raised my voice."
The couple have been married for 25 years.
As well as working with the Salvation Army, Murphy is a watch commander with the fire service where he has been employed for almost 30 years.
Defence solicitor Amy Spencer said that there would be an investigation by the Scottish Social Services Council as to whether Murphy would keep his job with the Salvation Army.
The solicitor asked Sheriff Sheena Fraser to deal with case by way of an absolute discharge which sees an offender receive no punishment nor criminal record.
She said: "His livelihood essentially rests on the outcome of today's hearing.
"My submission is this was an isolated incident, which was completely out of character, for a man who has spent the best part of 40 years serving the community in which he resides.
"The Salvation Army does excellent work with disadvantaged people and he has devoted his career to that."
Sheriff Fraser warned Murphy he could still be jailed over the offence.
She said: "I want to have all options open."
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Murphy, of Port Glasgow, will return to court for another hearing next month
The Salvation Army said: "We are aware a member of staff has attended court following an incident at our Greenock Floating Support Service.
"The matter is being managed in accordance with our policies and procedures and it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this stage."
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service declined to comment.
