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Up later than normal for me on a Saturday night, but just now having a chance to put down a few thoughts re: why evangelicalism has a habit of producing leaders who flame out. A few ideas:
1. “Success” is celebrated more than “faithfulness.” And “success” is almost always measured by the size of the gathering.
2. Speed is celebrated more than patience. In other words a church that “blows up” “overnight” will gain more notoriety than a church that grows a substantial ministry over years, decades, or even generations.
3. Youth is celebrated more than age. We want to believe that there are God-ordained leaders who are going to bring the next wave of faith into the up-and-coming generation.
4. We reward giftedness before we cultivate character. I have seen too many young leaders thrust into the spotlight, receiving attention and authority before they were emotionally ready.
5. We don’t have the structures built into our culture for accountability. When someone strays away, we often extend “grace” instead of leaning into conflict and confronting what needs to be exposed.
6. Emotional health isn’t usually emphasized in training or in professional development. Consequently, we often end up unintentionally perpetuating unhealthy mindsets/emotional responses within the church.
7. Charisma and confidence are almost always allowed to gloss over character flaws, because our model works best when a charismatic and confident individual is placed in front of the room. If not held accountable, the cycle can quickly and harmfully perpetuate itself.
8. Economics are a reality. No one likes to talk about this, but it is true. We can sometimes gloss over character with a charismatic leader because he/she “puts butts in the seats” and that translates into dollars.
Now think about how a combination of a few of these could quickly play out. A combination like these for example:
Youth
Emotional immaturity
Charisma without accountability
Need for economic stability
Youth
Emotional immaturity
Charisma without accountability
Need for economic stability
Things look good at first. A young leader brings in a young crowd. He is charismatic. More and more people come. Staff is needed. Thankfully, things are growing, so money comes in.
But soon we see some character issues. Dishonesty. Or indiscretion. Or…whatever. What happens?
But soon we see some character issues. Dishonesty. Or indiscretion. Or…whatever. What happens?
In a healthy setting, a leader like this would be sidelined, confronted, and then held accountable. He would get counseling or coaching or whatever was needed in order to get healthy. Someone else would lead in the meantime.
But this leader is special, right?
But this leader is special, right?
If we sideline this leader, people will leave. And then our ministry may die. Or revenue may drop. Or we may miss our “moment.” Or our church may lose its reputation. Or we may use some spiritual reason: “Sure x has his flaws, but the Lord really uses him when he teaches.”
You see where it’s headed. So do I. But the people in the crowd don’t. Because they don’t know any of this. It’s usually kept quiet, if possible. Because we want to keep a good thing going.
And we feed it with our culture. Conferences, book deals, videos, etc., all tend to feature the same sort of person, because that’s what draws us in. We’d rather have a young, fit, hip, leader talk to us than a nondescript middle-aged pastor. Because that seems ordinary. Like us.
And therein lies the problem. Much of evangelicalism is founded on this theological principle known as “priesthood of the believer.” It’s the idea that everyone is filled with the Spirit. Everyone is a minister.
But it’s not what we package, sell, or embody.
But it’s not what we package, sell, or embody.
We cast the vision that the person on the stage is different. Special. Separate.
And sometimes the person on the stage begins to believe it.
And when they do, and when we treat him/her as if they are, we set ourselves up for the inevitable fall.
And sometimes the person on the stage begins to believe it.
And when they do, and when we treat him/her as if they are, we set ourselves up for the inevitable fall.
This is why pastors/leaders of churches/orgs need people who love them but also call them out in their sin. I know I have people in my church who do just that to me. I don’t usually like it in the moment, but I always value it after the fact.
It’s also why we need pastors/leaders to openly discuss their flaws/sins. And go to counseling. And get coaching.
And why the *vast* majority of us who are “up front” for ministries and churches need to be unknown.
Most of us aren’t made for fame.
And why the *vast* majority of us who are “up front” for ministries and churches need to be unknown.
Most of us aren’t made for fame.
Of course, most of the people I know who go into the ministry don’t *start* that way. And most stay that way.
But you can see how if you’re exceptionally gifted and in the right (wrong) situation, you’ll end up in a dangerous place.
But you can see how if you’re exceptionally gifted and in the right (wrong) situation, you’ll end up in a dangerous place.
I don’t have a ton of solutions. Church is all about trust. Most pastors are good people genuinely seeking to serve the Lord. But we need to aware of the waters in which we swim. If not, corruption ensues.
At the end of the day, I need to realize that I am my biggest threat.
At the end of the day, I need to realize that I am my biggest threat.
And, if I won’t, I need to have a system in place that will pull me off the stage and into repentance and healing.
The wounds of a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Read that somewhere.
The wounds of a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
Read that somewhere.
