Mark Pugh

When Leaders Fall

Mark Pugh explores how the painful fall of Christian leaders can serve as a catalyst for growth, ultimately fostering healthier, Christ-centred communities of faith.

In recent years many sectors of society have been rocked by numerous scandals involving public figures and high-profile leaders. Unfortunately, the Christian community has not been immune to its own opprobrium. From moral failures to abuse of power, these incidents have left many believers disillusioned and questioning their faith.

How do we cope with the disappointment of seeing those we admired and trusted fall from grace, and what lessons can we glean from these painful experiences?

When someone falls, and especially when it is a Christian leader, the impact can ripple through the entire community. It can feel like a personal betrayal as we’ve invested our trust, time, and resources into supporting them, and the news of their failures can feel like it shakes the very foundation of our faith.

It is natural to experience a range of emotions – anger, sadness, confusion and even doubt – and we may question our own judgment or wonder if our faith was misplaced. It is crucial to remember, though, that our faith should be in God and not in fallible human beings.

Whilst such situations are painful to walk through, they can offer valuable lessons for both individual believers and the church as a whole:

No one is above accountability

Even the most charismatic and seemingly godly leaders need accountability. The Bible warns us about the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). Implementing robust accountability structures can help prevent the abuse of power and moral failures.

Each of us needs people around us who will speak honestly and do so in love. I have a group of six guys I’ve been meeting with regularly for over 18 years now, and I greatly value the way we open our hearts and challenge each other.

The danger of pedestals

We must be cautious about elevating leaders to unhealthy levels. Psalm 146:3 tells us, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” Our ultimate role model should always be Christ. When we are tempted to elevate others let’s remember that we are ALL the Lord’s anointed, and are called to honour everyone, not just those in certain positions.

The importance of character

While gifts and talents are important, character should be the primary qualifier for leadership. As 1 Timothy 3 outlines, integrity, self-control, and a good reputation are crucial for those in positions of influence.

I’m always more interested in what people are like off the platform than what they are like on it.

Grace and forgiveness

Moral failures remind us of our own capacity for sin and our need for God’s grace. While consequences for actions are necessary, we’re also called to extend forgiveness and pray for God to restore – with the emphasis on restoration being between them and God and others.

While I don’t rule out restoration to ministry, in my view it’s the least important of the areas that need to be restored.

Focus on Christ

Ultimately, these incidents should drive us closer to Jesus. He is the only one who will never disappoint or fail us. Throughout history, he has always been faithful, loving, true and kind.

May the awareness of our own frailty and the evidence of the failure of others cause us to be even more lost in worship as we admire our Saviour’s sinlessness even more.

In navigating the aftermath of fallen leaders, I believe it is helpful to:

• Process our emotions honestly, perhaps with the help of a counsellor or trusted friend
• Reaffirm our commitment to Christ, not to human leaders
• Support those who have been directly hurt by others
• Play our part in working towards healthier leadership structures in our churches and organisations
• Cultivate personal discernment through prayer and God’s Word

The fall of Christian leaders is deeply painful, but need not destroy our faith. Instead, I pray we will let it serve as a catalyst for growth, both personally and within the broader church. By learning from these experiences we can work towards creating healthier and more Christ-centred communities of faith.
 

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.