The Inevitable Disappointment of Following “Celebrity” Pastors

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Once again news has broken regarding the “sin” of a well-known, influential minister. This news hit me particularly hard as this is a man I’ve listened to and learned from on hundreds of occasions. Here are four reminders to take away when you hear this kind of news.

1. God is no respecter of persons.

Indeed, “there is no partiality with God.” (Romans 2:11 NASB) Another popular translation of this Scripture states, “For there is no preferential treatment with God.” (Romans 2:11 PHILLIPS) It is easy to idolize and glamorize effective pastors and even men’s ministers. They often speak before large crowds. They ooze charisma and charm. They write books, produce podcasts, and oversee radio or television productions. Over time it’s easy to slip into the belief God somehow favors them, or has blessed them in an unusual way. We wrongly think, “Surely they don’t struggle with sin and temptation like I do!” Yet, they are forgiven sinners just like you and me. Yes, they have been justified (declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus), but like you and I, they are in the ongoing process of being sanctified. (Being continually set apart for service while becoming more Christ-like…also through faith in Jesus.) You will always be disappointed if you put any person in the place where only Jesus belongs.

2. A particular leader’s “fall” does not negate the good work God has performed through them.

David, the King of Israel, was called “a man after God’s own heart.” (1 Sam 13:14) At his best, he led Israel to follow in the ways of YHWH. At his worst, he slept with a young woman (not his wife) and killed her husband in an attempt to cover up his sin of adultery. This grievous sin did not cancel out the good God accomplished through His servant. I have heard people wonder if they were “saved” since they came to faith under a particular minister who later fell from grace. Remember, it is God who saves … not man. Humans are simply the vehicle for God to accomplish His work in the world. He uses angels. He speaks through donkeys. He corrals weather for His purposes. And, though we are imperfect, He can even use you and me to perform “…every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8)

3. Not every influential minister who falls into grievous sin, addiction, or commits a crime necessarily needs restoration to public ministry.

Due to our evangelical emphasis on grace, we often quickly rush to restore public ministers to their previous position of influence. Normally, the fallen announce they are entering into therapy or a recovery program. They tell us two or three godly mentors will be overseeing their restoration process. And then, before you know it, they are back on stage promoting their newest series on how they (and you!) can weather the storm of shame through perseverance and grit. Rarely do you see someone in this recovery stage announce they are going to begin serving in obscurity rather than in previously highly public venues. Yes, it is wonderful when restoration and healing occur. After all, Jesus restored the apostle Peter after Peter denied even knowing Jesus! Every local leadership team must determine whether restoration must necessarily include a return to a highly public ministry.

4. When you hear of a public minister falling … and you will … allow the disappointment to lead you to introspection.

In her 1969 book On Death and Dying, Swiss American psychiatrist Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduced the five stages of grief, which are often discussed as a framework for understanding the psychological reaction to death:

Denial: A defense mechanism to protect oneself from shock

Anger: A natural response that can be directed at oneself, family, doctors, God, or the deceased

Bargaining: An attempt to negotiate or make compromises, which can come from a feeling of helplessness

Depression: A feeling of sadness and hopelessness that can lead to withdrawal, numbness, or suicidal thoughts

Acceptance: Finding control and figuring out how to proceed[1]

These stages are similar to what we feel when someone whom we have looked up to and from whom we  have received spiritual guidance and teaching lets us down. We could add to this list, introspection: Pausing from our focus on our hero’s fall in order to examine our own patterns of temptation and sin. It’s easy to cluck our tongues and look down our nose at a public humiliation. Imagine if all of our deeds were broadcast on cable television for the world to view. What would it be like if our every thought was captured and sent out over the internet? God knows our every thought and deed. His mercy allows most of us to remain anonymous. Spectacular ministerial falls should force us to recommit ourselves to walking by the Spirt and confessing our sins to those who know us well. (James 5:16)

© Dr. Paul Pettit

[1] On death and dying: Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth: New York, The Macmillan Company, [1969].

This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.

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