When a spiritual leader fails

By On October 22, 2012 · 4 Comments
Picture of Wheat

Photo Credit: Dag Endresen

We watched in awe as a stranger spoke from the podium. My husband and I were attending a church leadership conference that featured several pace-setting church leaders.

The central passage of his message was John 12:24 and I can still hear the charismatic preacher’s impassioned talk, “If it dies, it bears much fruit!” He fervently illustrated the passage, imploring the audience to see the connection between dying to themselves and bearing fruit for the kingdom. My husband and I were deeply moved by the message. After the event, we purchased an audio recording and listened to it in the car. We continued to glean insight from the message for months. This man was a gifted communicator.

Some years later we visited the website for his church to check in on his ministry. All references to this man had been completely removed. Another Google search revealed he resigned his post in disgrace in the wake of a 20 year affair with the church secretary.

It is impossible to overstate the effect a fallen leader has on a church family. Often those who have trusted the leadership of such a man question everything they believe.

In light of this discovery, we reviewed again the message that had such a profound impact on us. We re-evaluated this man’s sermon in light of scripture and a few more years of ministry experience. We were convinced anew that the message that initially stirred our hearts to action was true even though the messenger had failed.

It is right and appropriate for spiritual leaders to be held accountable. In the face of such an egregious sin, a leader must step down. However, a leader’s personal sin does not negate the truth or power of God’s Word.

More than anything, the failure of spiritual leaders ought to drive us back to God and his Word. Human leaders will fail. They will sin in big and small ways. But the word of God is true, living, active, and does not return void. It is the plumb-line by which every message should be measured.

Linking today with Jennifer

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  • http://www.gettingdownwithjesus.com/ dukeslee

    No one is immune from the attacks of Satan, nor the old nature, which wants to weasel its way back in wherever it can. No matter if we are megachurch pastors or SAHMs or whatever, we definitely have to arm ourselves daily. This is a war. And your post illustrates that so well. Thank you for linking. I’m honored…

    • http://www.eyvonnesharp.com/ Eyvonne

      What insight! I’ve always avoided war analogies, not because I think they’re wrong but because I think our Christian subculture often chooses the wrong enemy. I failed to even look at it from that perspective. But you are right, we do have an enemy that must be battled. Only, we must be certain to use the correct armor and weapon, and we do not have the power to fight in ourselves alone. Thank you for this comment, and for giving me much more to think about.

  • Elizabeth

    It does it just does, have very profound effects when those in leadership fail. You pour wisdom into this delicate subject. And we are to forgive. Putting on the armour of God with you. Our church is engulfed in a painful schism. Division is extremely wounding and we grieve deeply this. Right in the midst of leaders and disagreements raging.

    • http://www.eyvonnesharp.com/ Eyvonne

      Oh Elizabeth. I’ve thought so much on church discord recently. It is can be so destructive to the body when people are passionate about what they believe is best. And, in my husband’s first years in the ministry, we chose a few battles poorly. As for me, I’ve resolved to have an opinion about nothing but Jesus crucified and resurrected, the authority of Scripture, and the kindness of God’s children for one another and those who do not yet to know him (especially in our local body). This is where I have landed for now. I have opinions about music style, and screens, and carpet, and schedules, and many other things. But I’m learning to crucify those concerns for the good of the kingdom, because shouldn’t that be our first priority?

      This has been hard for my opinionated self and I’m still trying to work out what to do with my thoughts and ideas because I know I have a voice and it matters — but everything I think doesn’t matter. This may turn into a post. There’s so much to say here.

      I’ll be praying for you and your church family. I know how painful it can be.