In the recent past, we’ve witnessed the downfall of highly visible leaders, seen documentaries about churches that did cover-ups (Hillsong), and seen public disgrace when
shameful things are revealed in leaders.
When well-known leaders fail, how can we as Christian leaders (if we are believers, God wants us to lead), within our own homes, companies and communities guard
against the same thing happening to us?
The reality is that these failures are never just the result of a momentary lapse. There are patterns that develop over time of people who stray from God’s purpose and
plan way before they crash and burn. These failures in leadership can usually be grouped into a few major themes, and they can be our own warning to us of what to
}avoid and have in place in our own lives and leadership.
A LOSS OF FOCUS
One pattern in these failures is a loss of focus. The leader who falls stops daily time in prayer and the Bible. They begin to be isolated and give their attention to their
image and visibility. They drift toward personal pleasure, personal gain, or personal fulfillment that is contrary to their beliefs and their spiritual foundation.
Carl Lentz the former pastor of Hillsong wrote this after resigning from his church, “I did not do an adequate job of protecting my own spirit, refilling my own soul, and
reaching out for the readily available help that is available. When you lead out of an empty place, you make choices that have real and painful consequences. I was
unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life and held accountable for that.”
“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19-20 (NIV)
We all can wander, and we all need someone to do these verses in our own lives. To help others refocus and renew their faith and to put their minds on the things and
priorities of God.
Bottom line: We need each other. A loss of focus leads to dangerous isolation. You and I need people in our lives that know us well enough to hold us accountable, to help
us before it’s too late, who love us and can tell us the truth we need to hear. No one is beyond this kind of help. God uses others to help us not stray toward a cliff of
destructive patterns and decisions.
POOR SELF-MANAGEMENT
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)
If a leader doesn’t take care of themselves, no one else will. Unless a leader establishes accountability and people that give insight and feedback, nobody will pick up on
signs of fatigue or stress. We all have to know the signs of being drained and unmotivated and then make time for refreshment and replenishment. If we neglect our
physical, emotional, relational and spiritual needs, we are headed for disaster. Take care of yourself. Lead yourself well.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Years ago, some friends of ours and us had a discussion about: Is anyone capable of failing and destroying their life? There were varying opinions and an interesting
discussion. But I thought and still think that any one of us is capable of taking a swan dive off a cliff that brings wreck and ruin into our life. I don’t want that for me or for
you.
We need layers of accountability, relationships, self-leadership that takes that potential reality seriously. What is at risk is huge.
