If you’ve been a Christian for more than a few months, you’ve probably been disappointed by a Christian leader or two. It happens more often than I would like to think about.
Sometimes it’s a leader who lacks the character to keep his or her word. Other times it’s someone whose hidden sin suddenly comes to light. The range is enormous, and because we expect our leaders to reflect Christ, our disappointment can range from frustration to deep heartbreak. Maybe you’ve experienced that kind of disappointment yourself. I know I have.
Yes, we’ve been told that God has always used imperfect people. Anyone else tired of hearing that? But sadly, it’s true. Throughout Scripture, He chose flawed men and women who were willing to follow Him, even though they often failed along the way.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not excusing leaders who fail. Their failures can wound people deeply, and I think many of us are weary of experiencing or seeing headlines about another Christian leader who has fallen.
I don’t remember one leader God chose who did everything right. Every one of them were imperfect. Everyone disappointed someone. Everyone fell short. Everyone was, well, human.
God never hid their failures. He recorded them for all of history to read. That should remind us that our hope has never been in perfect leaders. Our hope has always been in a perfect Savior.
I’ve been deeply disappointed by leaders. But if I’m honest, I’ve also disappointed people in some of my leadership roles. Maybe in ways I didn’t even know. That realization keeps me from climbing too high on my own soapbox. It’s much easier to see another person’s failures than it is to recognize our own. Sometimes I’ve quietly congratulated myself because I usually follow through on what I’ll say I’ll do. Then the Holy Spirit reminds me that pride can sneak into even our strengths. The very thing I was using to judge someone else became another area where I needed His grace.
Sometimes leaders truly sin in ways that are unspeakable. Other times, leaders are simply human. Those are very different situations. Not every disappointment is the result of sin. Sometimes leaders simply get tired. They make poor decisions. They overlook people. They forget. They become overwhelmed. That doesn’t excuse genuine sin, but it does remind us that they’re human.
When someone you’ve trusted spiritually disappoints you, it hurts differently. It isn’t just another relationship. You looked up to them for wisdom, encouragement, or protection. When they fail, it can shake your confidence, not only in them, but sometimes even in God.
Even after we’ve been hurt, we shouldn’t spend our lives looking for reasons to distrust every leader. God still uses pastors, teachers, mentors, and spiritual fathers and mothers to help us grow. The answer isn’t to stop following leaders. It’s to remember they were never meant to replace Jesus.
Leaders don’t fall into a vacuum. Their influence means their failures often affect hundreds, or even thousands, of people. That’s why Scripture places such a high responsibility on those who teach and lead. And the scripture says teachers are judged more strictly.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” James 3:1
“To whom much is given, much is required.” Luke 12:48
Christian leaders will disappoint us. They always have. They always will. But Jesus never will.
Don’t allow someone’s failure to become your excuse for walking away from the One who has never failed you and never will. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Appreciate faithful leaders. Pray for struggling leaders. Forgive repentant leaders. But worship only Jesus.