We have to plan in accordance with the reality that the Fall was real and power will be misused if unchecked.
How many times and places are we warned of this? The Founding Fathers created checks and balances in government because they knew that government leaders would abuse power. The business world publishes books about how to deal with toxic leaders. Every day, someone is on the news for taking advantage of someone else.
But, regrettably, some Christians thought that it would not apply to the church.
Perhaps the last few years have taught us better, but since such abuse keeps happening, we need to be reminded again.
Naivety Is Not a Virtue
We must not be naive.
Naivety is not a virtue.
Pastors can be abusers, and they are empowered in their abuse when people don’t have a proper understanding of power and have chosen not to address the foundational and systemic issues of abuse that plague the Bride of Christ.
As John Stott explained, “Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.”
And, we don’t naturally humble ourselves — pastors included.
Furthermore, many pastors don’t start out being inappropriate users of power, but can quickly do those very things, because at some point, they succumb to the temptation that power always offers.
Discerning When Wolves Come
When thinking of the word predator, the animal kingdom comes to mind. In fact, the Bible uses such imagery. Both Jesus and Paul warn the church about predators — wolves being among the sheep.
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. – Matthew 7:15-16
I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! – Acts 20:29-31
Don’t forget the ultimate purpose for wolves is to stealthily and deceptively draw sheep away to devour them in order to fill their bellies. The predatory nature of wolves is always for selfish satisfaction and survival. Thus, they stalk their prey looking for the weakest and most vulnerable.
A shepherd protects the sheep from wolves; you can tell effective pastors in part because of the way they respond when wolves appear. But pastors and church leaders, this is also what we must guard our hearts from becoming. In the animal kingdom a shepherd cannot become a wolf; sadly, in the church this can and does happen. We must recognize the reality of the Fall; we must recognize the power of the Gospel.
In closing, we must walk in wisdom and discernment with the knowledge that we could become the very people that target churches for selfish gain.
The temptation to abuse power is always present, but the gospel, Spirit-empowerment, godly character, accountability structures, and Christian community subvert the pervasiveness of the Fall with the better way of Jesus.
Therefore, pastors need accountability, which I will address more in the remaining installments.
