In recent years and even in recent weeks, we've witnessed a series of moral failures among high-profile leaders, both within and outside the church. Notable figures such as Mike Bickle, Robert Morris, Tony Evans, Carl Lentz, and Ravi Zacharias have faced scandals, shaking the core faith of many. This crisis isn't confined to religious leaders; it's evident in various sectors, from Wall Street to the White House. Betrayal, disappointment, and moral failures are pervasive.
There are two key questions to address: 1) How did we get here? 2) Where do we go from here?
My goal today is not to answer the first question. I’m not here to criticize individuals or condemn the structure of the church or organizations (the world is doing a pretty good job of that without my help). While I have my thoughts and may share them one day, that is not my goal today. I did write in a previous post on this subject, which you can read here ("The Downfall of Leaders").
Today, my task is to address the second question. I’m concerned about the collateral damage done to the people these events impact. The staff, congregants, constituents, and boards left in the wake, and the ReLeaders tasked with trying to pick up the pieces. What do they do? What do we do?
Where do we go from here?
I have three key points that I believe are critical to answering the question: where do we go from here?
Grieve Honestly
One of the first steps in dealing with these crises is to grieve honestly. Often, we shy away from grief, preferring to move on quickly. However, acknowledging our pain and disappointment is crucial for healing. Grief is a natural response to loss, and it is prevalent throughout the scriptures. David grieved the loss of his newborn son and later his other son Absalom. Naomi grieved the loss of her children and husband. Even Jesus grieved the death of Lazarus, despite knowing He would raise him from the dead.
C.S. Lewis, in his book A Grief Observed, eloquently describes grief as feeling like fear, suspense, or waiting. He wrote, “I sat with my anger long enough until she told me her real name was grief.” This description resonates deeply, reflecting the uncertainty and emotional turmoil we experience. When we face a crisis, we go through various emotions: shock, denial, anger, and sadness. These emotions come in waves, and we must allow ourselves to feel them rather than suppress them. In psychology, this avoidance behavior is called “bypassing.” Much like trying to bypass traffic in a downtown city, we attempt to avoid the pain of our loss by taking detours around our grief. However, just as traffic detours can lead to longer and more complicated routes, bypassing our grief only prolongs and complicates the healing process.
Grieving honestly also means recognizing the communal aspect of our grief. The moral failures we witness affect not just individuals but the entire body of Christ. We must grieve together, acknowledging the pain and the impact on our collective faith. This communal grieving allows us to support each other and begin the healing process together.
Sitting in the pain of loss, disappointment and confusion is a vital part of our healing process, which is a perfect setup for our next step in the process.
Heal Completely
After acknowledging our grief, the next step is to heal completely. Healing is not an instantaneous process; it requires time, effort, and a willingness to address the wounds thoroughly. Many people carry unresolved wounds, leading to a cycle of pain and mistrust. To heal completely, we must confront these wounds head-on.
The healing process can be likened to treating a physical wound. First, we must check our wounds. This involves assessing the depth and severity of our emotional and spiritual injuries. Seeking wise counsel from trusted advisors or spiritual mentors can help us understand the extent of our wounds and the best course of action.
Second, we must stop the bleeding. This means addressing the immediate pain and finding ways to prevent further harm. Applying pressure to our wounds involves immersing ourselves in truth—God's truth. We need to remind ourselves of what God says about us, His church, and His promises. This truth acts as a balm, providing comfort and strength during our healing journey.
Fighting off infection is the third step. Just as a physical wound is susceptible to infection, our emotional and spiritual wounds can become infected with bitterness, cynicism, and unforgiveness. We must actively combat these negative feelings, seeking forgiveness and maintaining a hopeful outlook.
Lastly, we must resist the temptation to pick at the scab. Dwelling on our wounds or reopening old hurts prevents complete healing. Picking the scabs of our pain through gossip or poor thinking gives infection another opportunity to enter our system. Instead, we should focus on allowing the scars to form. These scars, though reminders of our pain, also signify healing and resilience. They become part of our testimony, enabling us to help others who face similar struggles.
Build Faithfully
With healing comes the responsibility to build faithfully. The failures of some leaders may have shaken our faith, but it is our duty to rebuild, grounded firmly in our faith in Jesus Christ. Building faithfully means constructing our lives and our communities on the solid foundation of Christ, who is unshakable.
Jesus illustrated this concept in Luke 6:46-49, where He compared those who hear His words and act on them to a person building a house on a solid foundation. When the storms come, the house stands firm because it is well-built. Similarly, our faith must be built on the unchanging truth of Christ, ensuring that we remain steadfast even in the face of adversity.
The process of building faithfully also involves a communal effort. In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul describes believers as a house built together on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. We are carefully joined together, forming a holy temple for the Lord. This imagery highlights the importance of unity and collaboration in our efforts to rebuild.
Damping System
Have you ever studied how buildings are constructed to withstand earthquakes? It’s fascinating. Engineers use earthquake dampers, placed at the top of structures, to counterbalance the shifting movement caused by earthquakes. These dampers work tirelessly to stay centered over the foundation, ensuring the stability of the entire building despite the violent shaking.
Similarly, in times of crisis, when our world is rocked and swayed by the moral failures of leaders, we must rest on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ. No matter how severe the systemic activity around us becomes, our faith acts as a damper, keeping us centered on our unshakable foundation. This steadfast focus on Christ helps us maintain balance and resilience, allowing us to withstand and recover from the storms that threaten to destabilize us.
As we navigate the aftermath of moral failures and disappointments, we must remember that we are called to grieve honestly, heal completely, and build faithfully. This journey is not easy, but it is essential for our growth and resilience as individuals and as a community. By embracing these steps, we can move forward with hope and strength, confident that our foundation in Christ will sustain us through any storm. Where do we go from here? We go forward, together, grounded in our faith and committed to building a future that reflects the love and grace of Jesus Christ.
Stay centered over the true foundation, Jesus Christ. I am praying for the body of Christ in this season.
Love this message and enjoyed listening to the sermon over it. Obviously, it resonates a little differently today given recent news and events, but more than that, it serves as a reminder that we were never promised that there wouldn't be storms...we are just fortunate enough (by faith and grace) to know that we have someone WITH US in the storm and that we will come out on the other side, still with Jesus right by our side. The unspoken truth, as unfortunate as it may be, is that we put so much trust and faith into man and forget what our damping system should look like...Jesus Christ. Another thought provoking idea that I take away from this article is as a ReLeader, I have to accept and carry the burden that there are people that have put their faith and trust in me to lead them. When you pause long enough to really think that thought through, that's alot of weight. I can't help but think that transparency, honesty, and accoutability are all of a sudden that much more essential in a ReLeader role....and where does that come from? For me, it looks like more intentionality in my relationship with God and those that I do life with. It also looks like being intentional with the body of Christ and those that (to this point) haven't become a part of the body...yet. By being intentional in remaining centered on the foundation of Christ, my hope and prayer would be that someone who is wavering or undecided about how to move forward would lean more toward walking with Christ rather than walking away because of how I've conducted myself in a response to a faith shaking situation.
Again, great article...alot to unpack and meditate on. Prayers for all of the leaders and ReLeaders out there. To borrow a quote from Pastor here..."If it were easy, everyone would do it."
Yes, I certainly do see how crafty the enemy is to distract Christians who believe in the power of the blood of Jesus, just months before a pivotal political decision. We all need to stay vigilant to the wiles of the enemy and stay focused on THE ONE who is the Author & Finisher of our faith!
Aren't we all SO thankful for the wonder-working, cleansing POWER of the Blood.... nothing but the Blood...
Honestly, I haven't paid much attention to the news for about 4-5 years now, so I know very little of what all the fuss is about. What little I do know, who knows if it is accurate.
But I do know this one thing, I have learned from personal experience that calling someone else's sin out, does absolutely nothing to heal anyone's pain. ONLY JESUS CAN HEAL THAT PAIN!! Personally, I refuse to be used by the enemy to destroy another's reputation because of their sin when not a single one of us is without sin.
1 John 1:8-10 NIV
[8] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
https://bible.com/bible/111/1jn.1.8-10.NIV
I really have to wonder, for those who accuse others of PAST sin that has been dealt with, how powerful is their Jesus? How powerful is their Savior's Blood? Especially when those sins were before a person confessed and was baptized. Are not those sins washed away at baptism? Does this not diminish the sacrifice of our precious Savior? Is this not blasphemy of sorts?
Just a few thoughts....
https://youtu.be/BquDedVzhWo?si=T-27iBR1X9tB2pqe