“Be careful where you stand lest you fall.”
Ted Haggard is a sinner. And apparently a meth user and homosexual adulterer. I dont relish writing this, though Im sure there have been a few who have enjoyed the toppling of another Christian leader.
This entry isnt about Ted Haggard really. My hope and prayer is that he has come completely clean. If he has then he can get the help he needs, and God can redeem his life, his family and use this redemption to glorify Jesus.
Unfortunately, history reminds us that rarely does someone ever come completely clean. “Its not the crime, but the cover-up” the old political adage goes. Well, hopefully this particular falling of a Christian leader is over and done. My fear is that it is not.
Irregardless the point of this entry is not Mr. Haggard. It is the role of the Christian Leader in general.
Last night at a Bible study I attend we discussed the failing, temptations and pressures put on Christian leaders especially over the past 50 years. After discussing the numerous leaders whose life didnt match up to the their message (i.e. hypocrites) and of the pressures and trials that those who did remain faithful endured I was struck with one resounding thought: I dont want to be a Christian Leader.
Whatever glory, honor or power that may come with the role of a pastor, preacher or evangelist it is far outweighed by the pain, pressure, exhaustion, and attacks that these men and women endure. They have to work themselves to exhaustion building a ministry. Once it is established they are then fawned on and over which doesnt help their struggle with pride (some skip this by not struggling but simply embracing pride). So they are in positions of tremendous power and authority but have few if any friends who keep them balanced and accountable. One reason they become so insular is that there are already so many trying to take them out or replace them. “I may be paranoid but that doesnt mean people arent out to get me.”
It is at this point that their Achilles heal is found, exploited and their fall commences. The fall, of course, cant be quick and surgical but slow and bludgeoning. When they fall, those who fawned over them are left disillusioned and drifting. And of course those who wanted to take their place get the position of captain on the sinking ship (which was the ministry built around the personality of the initial leader).
Meanwhile the world chimes in: “that hypocrite got what he deserved. See it IS better to just live life for yourself, at least you wont be a hypocrite.”
Aside: Which is better? 1. To live your life for others and tell them the truth knowing that you are yourself a sinner and may
Funny that hypocrisy is seen as such a tremendous sin. While it is regrettable, I personally would rather stand for something and fail, then to never have stood for anything and failed because of my inaction.
Anyway, so back to my thought: I dont want to be a Christian Leader. Besides, it gets worse.
If the Christian Leader can somehow avoid the pitfalls mentioned above, by staying humble and approachable, honest and accountable (therefore protected from the major sins that doom many ministries: sex, corruption and heresy) he isnt out of the woods yet. Next on the chopping block will be his family. Maybe the target will be his wife: depression, exhaustion or infidelity. Or his children: suicide, drug or alcohol addiction, sexual immorality or just plain old neglect.
And if somehow through the prayers and efforts of the leader, spouse and children (and hopefully the church body) none of these attacks pay off, then, well there is always the smear campaign.
Unlike many of my articles on this subject I actually know of which I speak. Having grown up in the church I have seen numerous leaders fall due to sexual immorality (adultery usually), or their children succumb to the very vices that their parents railed against. For the sake of their privacy and in honor of their sacrifice I wont go into any more details. Suffice it to say, if you have been in or around the church for any length of time you will have your own horror stories.
Sadly, one of the most profound for me was when one of my pastors in college was caught in adultery. The man who came down to Tulsa to help heal the wounds and keep the church intact was Ted Haggard.
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In war if the leader is wounded or killed the troops rally around his sacrifice and memorialize him (Custer, Travis, Stonewall Jackson to name a few). But when it comes to leaders in the Church if they are wounded then their followers turn on them, cannibalize and defame their memory.
The astute will point out that in war leaders are taken out by enemy fire, while in Christianity the leaders we are talking about are taken out by their own sins and moral failures. True, and yet I would counter with the suggestion that these Christian Leaders were indeed under attack. Not physical attack necessarily, but spiritual and even more deadly.
So to recap: I dont want to be a Christian Leader. No person with any clue would desire such a position. So why do people seek such leadership positions? The short answer is that most of them dont seek the position. They see people in need (physical, emotional or spiritual) and seek to help bring healing to those who are hurt. In time this leadership lands them in the role of a Christian Leader. Ironic, that when they do fall so few people are there to bring healing to them.
Ted Haggard. I dont know him personally, but from the times Ive heard him speak, his writings and his testimony I can definitively say that he is a Man of God. And that one day he will hear the Lord say “well done my good and faithful servant…”
He may be called many things in the days and weeks ahead, but all that will matter is what God says. And God knows Mr. Haggards heart and if He says that Mr. Haggard is a man after Gods own heart then He probably knows what Hes talking about.
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