When A Leader Messes UP

What happens when a Christian leader is caught in sin or admits that he or she has sinned? It has been my experience that most will want them kicked out of office and banished from leadership. That might be the appropriate action but for the most part I think our attitude should reflect what the Bible teaches. I will use only one scripture to prove my point.

Let's look at Galatians 6: 1-5 ^1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

 ^4-5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. 

 Let's look at what these verses say. We are told to restore the person and keep our comments to ourselves. It also tells us to share their burdens. To me what we are being told to do is work to restore the person back to relationship with Christ and the body. We cannot do that if we talk behind their back with others. We are told to share in their burdens which to me is the heart of the message. Once we understand the burden, the wound or whatever it is that caused them to sin in the first place, we can begin to help restore them and keep from talking about them and their actions.

My personal story is that I was caught up in a habit that controlled me. I hide it well but it kept me from being the man God knew I could be. The leadership and body of the church  I attended showed mercy and grace to me. Men encouraged me through my struggles and also offered to hold me accountable. It was not easy and it took years but because of mercy and grace that the body showed me I made it through. I believe that these folks were being led by the Holy Spirit and that is why they were able to do what Galatians 6: 1-5 says.

I want to encourage you to be a person who restores and not a person who adds to destroying a person. Our enemy would like nothing more than to see Christians tearing apart other Christians.

Be like Jesus and decide never to let another brother go.