The longer I serve as a pastor, the more I appreciate consistent faithfulness to God over a long period of time in ministry. My heart is saddened by those church leaders who have moral failings and bring shame to the name of Jesus.
Too many are plagued with scandals after years of ministry only to end poorly because of sin. Often over a moment of indiscretion or succumbing to a temptation when it was least expected they fall into that which has significant implications on the broader church. They betray the trust given to them by congregants, the church, and Christ.
The enemy of our souls likes to use our greatest gifts against us.
The charismatic leader used their charm to pursue someone who was not their spouse.
The fruitful pastor slipped into a subtle pride that eventually enveloped their whole being.
A sacrificial pastor was overwhelmed with financial concerns and embezzled funds.
A thoughtful and intelligent leader was seduced by worldly philosophy and led astray from the truth.
They began with such promise. They started with people speaking hopefully of the potential. People spoke of and recognized the possibilities inherent in this young person who, along with their talents, had a zeal for the work of the Kingdom.
But scandal and moral failure and disappointment now haunts their memory. The powerful sermons they preached or ministries they led are forgotten among the damaging realities of their indiscretions. The great truths they espoused have been clouded by their actions and behaviors that were inconsistent with those same powerful truths.
What can be done to prevent this reality from encroaching upon so many?
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1. Emphasize personal holiness again. Character & integrity is more important than competency or ability. Daily faithful obedience is greater than eloquence or knowledge (not that they are necessarily exclusionary).
2. Emphasize personal experience with God again. May our pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders be people who have been with God and had a divine encounter with Him! Not just people who like church functions, but those who recognize the need to regularly spend time in God's presence.
3. Emphasize personal accountability again. Rather than wielding "freedom in Christ" as a resistance to accountability we need leaders who intentionally and regularly surrender to the scrutiny of Spirit filled individuals who will ask hard questions and say difficult things.
4. Emphasize personal conviction again. Ridicule seems to accompany anyone in leadership who does not "tow the line" of the lowest common denominator. We need conscientious individuals who are willing not only to avoid sin, but even the very appearance of evil. May leaders rise up who are willing to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading in their daily life about things that others might commonly practice without regard to its moral health.
I used to be enamored by great leaders who were excellent preachers or visionaries or creative. More and more, I'd rather be around those who are faithful over the long stretches of life and run the race with endurance... all the way to the end.
Romans 3:3-4a "What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? [4] By no means!"
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