The church has been inundated with leadership that has been involved in controversy or leadership that have fallen away from the Christian faith. We ask: How can a person that have dedicated their lives to Christ, end up like this.
With leadership, comes a huge responsibility. Leaders will be judged more severely.
James 3:1-2 - 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
It may seem unfair, but people follow leaders. Many so called Christian leaders are leading people astray. They have to take responsibility for what they have done.
Revelation 20:12-13 - 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person sh is rotten.
We was judged according to what they had done. There is a saying that when things go wrong in an organization, you will find that the head of the fish is rotten.
Let us try and establish what the reasons could be for leadership in the church going astray.
1. Loss of purpose:
Leaders are called by God to serve. In the beginning, their passion is high and they do exactly what God calls them to do. As time elapses, leaders can become weary. They tend to get involved in things other than what God destined them to do. It can create the scenario that they spend less time in spending time with the Lord and preparing sermons. Eventually they will leave the ministry to pursue “worldly” endeavors. We can ask ourselves: What has happened to our calling.
A leader must stay focused. Their task is difficult and lonely. They need to keep on focusing on the calling the Lord has given them. Irrespective of the trials and tribulations they may endure. I fact the trials and tribulation and criticism they endure is normally a sign that they are doing God’s work.
Matthew 10:22 - You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
2. Popularity
Being popular is very satisfying. We have seen that many churches now proclaim a “soft” gospel that is intended not to upset the congregation rather than the true reality of being a Christian. Repentance e.g. is excluded from accepting Christ. “Just believe and it is ok”. They will also refrain from telling people that they must weigh up the cost of making the decision to follow Christ.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 - For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The worst part is when they do that and people fall back, they could be leading people and themselves into a place where they will be doomed to death.
Hebrews 10:26-27 - - 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
Christian leaders are tasked to tell the truth. Yet in a loving way. But, not at the cost of hiding the truth and having a huge congregation of people being led astray. The truth sets you free. Look at the false prophets and what they teach. Their popularity is more important than God’s truth. They are after a large congregation with the financial benefits rather than God’s truth.
Matthew 24:23-24 - 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Matthew 10:38-39 - 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
3. Political correctness:
Many leaders are busy compromising the Gospel to be “politically correct”. This is a very dangerous road to travel. Jesus himself was not very political correct. He challenged the status quo. Leaders, to be successful, must always look at the world with “new” eyes and keep what is good to promote the Gospel.
We have seen many churches effectively approve gay marriages, accept that fornication is ok, etc. and justify it by saying “the world has changed”. The problem is that God has not changed, Scripture has not changed and the Truth has not changed. Leaders must never replace the truth with political correctness.
John 8: 31-32 - 31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 1:14 - The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 4:23 - Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
John 7:18 - Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.
John 8:32 - Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Acts 20:30 - Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
Romans 1:18 - The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
Romans 2:8 - But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
2 Peter 2:2 - Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
To be quite honest, preachers/leaders who deny the truth, does not have the Holy Spirit or is not obedient to the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. Do not deny God.
Mark 8:37-38 - 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
4. Discipline:
Self-discipline is one of the most difficult tasks that a child of God requires.
2 Timothy 1:7 - 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Our natural tendency is to rebel. We want to be free to do what we want to do. Many pastors have rebelled against God’s requirements and they have been involved in serious irregularities. Infidelity, fraud, etc.
Discipline is for the good of God’s childre
n:
Hebrews 12:10-12 - 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
In many churches discipline is not enforced by the leaders e.g. sinful living, allowing undisciplined use of gifts such as tongues, etc. Through this they create an undisciplined congregation which at times end in unchristian practices. Leaders forget the warnings which apostles, especially Paul, gave to the church. Leaders forget that the evil one can “mimic” all the gifts.
Going hand in hand with this is the thinking of some leaders that God and people do not see what they are doing. They also have the false view that God will forgive them. This is not true.
Isaiah 47:10 - 10 You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me.’ Your wisdom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself, I am, and there is none besides me.’
My goodness me. How stupid can we be. God is everywhere, sees everything, He is omnipresent!
The leadership, other than the leader, also lacks action when they become aware of misconduct of leaders. They are normally afraid to confront the leader as the possibility of conflict, ridicule or removal from leadership is a real possibility. Leaders should encourage their teams to engage with the leader and take responsibility to guide leaders when they fall into the trap of moving outside of God’s will. Leaders will make mistakes. We all make mistakes. But strong leadership teams build strong leaders. In fact when a leadership team corrects the leader in love, they should be praised to encourage accountability for the leader.
5. Lack of discernment/pride:
Many leaders do not have discernment for people in church that does not have this gift or allow people to practice their Spiritual gifts. Self-importance and thinking that they are the only ones that have gifts, hurts the church. Many pastors have this idea that they are spiritually “above” the congregation members. They forget that humility should be one the trait of a leader. My experience has been that the “ordinary” member/employee in many cases have a better understanding of problems and can at time have a great solution.
Leaders should engender difference to make teams stronger. God does not add people to a team without them having a special task, whether temporary or permanent. Women should not be discounted. I believe that every team should have some women in their ranks. They think mainly about relationship and nurturing. Men are logical and solution driven. As a combination their team will be much stronger.
The tasks of leaders are to develop people to become, not only disciples, but also to live out their gifts to build the church and glorify God. Leaders are responsible to create an environment of learning and equipping the saints. In 1 Corinthians 12, the congregation is likened unto the body of a human. Each part of the body is unique and is required to function properly.
It also states that the “lesser” gifts should be adorned by glory. Even the “smallest” of gifts is required in the church.
Linked with a lack of discernment of a leader, is normally pride. “I am more knowledgeable than you, I have trained longer than you, I know the Bible better than you, I have more experience than you, etc.” God hates pride.
Proverbs 6:16-17 - 16 There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven that are hated by Him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who are without guilt, (KJV)
James 4:6 …That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Unfortunately, leaders do not seem to understand that pride will ultimately make them fall. Pride can also make a leader think he is better than God. That life in the church is about his talents and his efforts. That he is the “main man”.
Proverbs 11:2 - When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
God expect humility from leaders. Servant leaders that serve their congregation with a humble spirit. Leading the way for others to follow. That is wisdom.
Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
James 3:13 - - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Matthew 23:12 - For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Romans 12:3 - …Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Follow the example of Jesus:
Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
6. Grieving/resisting the Holy Spirit
Although this is at number 6, it is in fact the greatest failure of leaders. It starts off with resisting the Holy Spirit in small things. This grows like cancer, eventually the sins become so big and can’t be hidden or easily stopped. Leaders should be tuned into God through the Holy Spirit every day.
The downward trend starts with grieving the Holy Spirit to eventually totally ignoring the Holy Spirit. The most dangerous thing a Christian leader can do. And the evil one will capitalize on your action. Deceiving you by telling you it is ok, justified or that no one will know.
Many leaders have hidden sins that they believe no one will ever find out e.g. looking at pornography. Pornography actual changes the brain and your actions change. People see the change whilst leaders blunders forth in ignorance. You cannot hide sin. It will eventually come in the light, not just embarrassing the leader but damaging our witness of Christ.
We have seen a lot of senior spiritual leaders falling into sexual sin lately. We are supposed to live holy lives.
Where doe it start?
It starts at the first time you looked at a woman (male leaders) and “lusted” after her (or vice versa). What starts as an “innocent look” ends in a sordid affair loosing families, ministries, etc. Leaders may say they are sorry, but the damage done cannot be obliterated.
Matthew 5:28 - But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1 Thessalonians 4:4-6- 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before.
1 John 2:16 - For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the Bible is clear that you must stay with your wife. What is even worse, is that many blame the wife/husband for their actions. It astounds me as the Bible is clear that a husband must love his wife like Christ loves the church. And the wife must submit t the husband It is giving, it is sacrificial, and it is 100% giving expecting nothing in return.
Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.
The Bible is clear that we must live Holy lives. That means you do not give in to your human lusts or follow the world. We must be like Joseph. When you see the problem trouble coming, run away from it.
1 John 2:16 - For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.
Leaders should never counsel women on their own if they are a male. It is the fertile ground for emotional connections and eventually impropriety. Women should counsel women. Men should counsel men or a man must be accompanied by his wife. Your wife is your best defense against sexual impropriety.
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