How should we respond if one of our church leaders falls into sin?

How to Respond when a church leader falls into sin….

 

Many are asking, “How should we respond when a church leader falls into sin?”

The body of Christ at our church has had a tough week.  We have had to endure the painful fallout of a Pastor that gave in to sin.  Unfortunately, we have had to live through the pain caused by a respected one letting us down.  There is a reason that the Bible says that our leaders are held to the highest standard.  James 3:1 states  “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  Leaders lives are to be exemplary.  Thus, the term “leader.”  A leader is meant to be a model to follow after.  When one falls, many others could topple over.  I pray not.

Although this is worst-case-scenario circumstances, our church has united to follow the Biblical guidelines for addressing a failure in leadership.  The elder board and staff members were careful to execute the proper response to a sin of this nature.  They did their due diligence to make sure they had evidence and witnesses, then they quickly addressed the body so that we would know that our leader had to step down because his immoral behavior had disqualified him from his leadership position.  1 Timothy 5:19-20 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

In the church service on Sunday, we were reminded of a very important truth that the body must not lose sight of in the wake of this disaster.  Christ is the head of our church.  He is head of the universal church, and the local church.  He is the ultimate leader of our congregation and of all believers in the whole world and throughout all of the ages.  And He is doing just fine.  He’s sitting on His throne, high and lifted up.  He has not failed us, and He never will fail.  He is the only leader in the history of the world that has never failed his followers.  Col 1:18  says that “He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”

Although it is bitterly sad that we have lost a beloved leader, we have not lost our Most Beloved Leader. Also important to remember, is that everyone is prone to temptation and sin.  No one is immune.  We are born with a sin nature with fleshly desires that could distract us from living lives to honor the Lord.  We also have enemies that we must be aware of:  the world (and its temptations), the flesh (and its desires), and the devil (who wants to sidetrack Christians and steal the glory that only God deserves).  Conversely, we have to remember that God has given us EVERYTHING we need for life and godliness.  He has not left us alone in this world, but has given us His Spirit to lead us into all truth, and nudge us when we are moving in the wrong direction.  It is such a blessing that God does not leave us alone in this world.  He is constantly acting among us and He is ready to intervene as quickly as we can say his name, “Jesus!” The Scripture gives us a warning, to stand firm:  1 Corinthians 10:12-13  “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” In the wake of this tsunami, many have asked, “how did this happen?”  And, the Bible has an answer for us:  James 1:13-15  “When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”  For God cannot be tempted by evil, not does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  This happened because there was a temptation, and instead of resisting, the leader gave in.

God’s call to purity is abundantly clear throughout the Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8  says “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or sister or take advantage of him.  The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.  For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.  Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.”

The encouragement that can be given in the calm following the storm is this:  God is still in control.  He is good and He is loving.  He is above all things and holds all things together.  Nothing is impossible for Him. He is not surprised by the fall of a leader.  He is deeply saddened, but not surprised.  He knows our weaknesses and He desires to make us strong.  He calls us to come close to Him so that we can learn from Him, and so that we can have a safeguard that will protect us in times of temptation.  We must not let our guard down.  This “guard” should be a regular commitment to prayer and the study of God’s word, and to discipleship and accountability.  If we have other people in our lives who we have given permission to speak truth into our lives, then we are heading in the right direction.  Spiritual Leaders must have people in their lives that care for their soul.  They need iron-sharpens-iron kind of friends, and they need to regularly be asked tough questions.

So, what should we do in response to the fall of a church leader?  We need to remember who our ultimate leader is.  We need to set our gaze on Jesus Christ, Head of the Church:  Hebrews 12:2 reads “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” We should be people who care for one another’s souls.  Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

We need to stick together and build each other up and encourage one another to seek, love, trust and obey Jesus more and more! We must find our strength in the daily filling of God’s Holy Spirit.  We must know and love God’s word, filling our mind with truth every day, and acting it out in our lives.  We need to know and rely on God’s Spirit who lives in us.  Listen to Joshua 1:8-9:  “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful.  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

We also have to know that our God loves us.  He will help us.  He will keep us safe and give us a time and a place to heal.  He will care for us, and He will not let us go.  Nahum 1:7  says,  “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.  He cares for those who trust in him.” And we must pray.  Pray for true repentance in the heart of the fallen leader.  Pray for humility in the hearts of the congregation.  Pray for the attitude to be upon us that says, “But for the grace of God, go I.”  I know many people are hurting, but I want to encourage them all to take heart.  Jesus knew that this world would be a vicious place for us to live our lives for him, but he gave us this encouragement: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33.