During my undergrad studies at Liberty University my mind was impounded with a phrase by the late Jerry Falwell that I will forever carry with me.
Almost every Wednesday, when the Reverend Falwell preached at convocation, he would poignantly ask each student, “What will your lasting legacy be?” Of course, as a student who was concerned about his upcoming humanities test, and how he was going to afford dinner that night, the phrase was at the time, the least of my concerns. Yet, for someone who was not the wisest spokesperson for the worst of times, Dr. Falwell was incredibly gifted as a leader. His life reflected a consistency marked by conviction that was rooted in God’s Word. Dr. Falwell also clearly understood the power of repetition, specifically repeating the convictions that he so desired to be transferred to the upcoming generation of Christians. His repetition worked and made an impact on me and how I see the world.
Over the years my mind has brought me back to Falwell’s sermons and I have often found myself asking, how will the choices I make today affect my life’s legacy?
Almost twenty years out of college now, with plenty of times where I had to discover lessons the hard way, I have learned that one’s lasting legacy starts with small intentional daily decisions. I have seen this firsthand in my family and I have witnessed it play out over the course of my career at Sunrise Children’s Services.
I have seen Christian leaders lead with Godly courage and boldness. Contrarily and sadly, I have also worked with Christian leaders who lost their way.
I believe I can offer a unique perspective on how Christian leaders lose their way. Rarely does a leader fall overnight. More often, the drift happens gradually, through a series of small and compounding choices. Most importantly, I want to express my deep desire that all Christian leaders finish well. I want to finish well! I want to make Dr. Falwell proud.
Isolation
A Christian leader drifts when they begin to distance themselves from wise and trusted voices. Isolation is not a safe place for any leader. Unfortunately, leadership can be a very lonely place. A leader must be comfortable understanding that not everyone may like their decisions and they must rise above how others see them, finding their value in God. This takes practice. This takes constant renewing of the mind by meditating on the words of God. The lack of this practice leaves the leader vulnerable to pride. Over time, isolation is often strengthened by pride. Even when others come with genuine concern and humility, their words are brushed aside. The leader becomes convinced they must rely on their own judgment, unaware that they are slowly removing the guardrails God has placed around them. We find in Proverbs 12:15 that a wise leader will listen to advice. We learn in Scripture that there is wisdom in counsel. Isolation may happen slowly, but if left unchecked, it will quietly evolve into prideful independence, where a leader no longer listens, no longer receives correction, and no longer recognizes how far they have drifted. This is an extremely vulnerable place for a leader to be.
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
Lack of Accountability
Isolation ultimately leads to a lack of accountability. A Christian leader will lose their way when they appoint individuals with opposite worldviews to crucial decision making positions. Accountability is the best protector for a Christian, who is in a leadership role. A Christian leader who only surrounds themselves with individuals with varying worldviews will not only feel the pressure to succumb to these views, but will also ultimately end up believing them.
The Apostle Paul gives the Christian leader sound advice when he states;
“do not be deceived: bad Company ruins good morals”. – 1st Corinthians 15:33
There is wisdom in Godly counsel and the truth of Scripture should be the Christian leader’s greatest source of accountability.
Psalm 1:1-6 states;
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous”
A Christian leader who sits with ungodly counsel with no Godly source of accountability, will be soon be a Christian leader who will lose their way.
Agenda’s Become Personal
A Christian leader will lose their way when they allow a personal agenda to become the motivating factor in their decisions. It is common for leaders to have agendas; after all, agendas are the guiding force to getting things done. However, when an agenda becomes personal, it shifts from stewardship to self-interest. At that point, decisions are no longer made for the good of those entrusted to the leader, but for the preservation of reputation, control, or desired outcomes. What once served the mission begins to serve the leader.
A great example of this is found in 1 Samuel 15.
“And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, ‘Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.’”
Here we find King Saul who was originally called and anointed by God, but over time, his leadership shifted and his ways became more important than God’s directives. Really, what began as obedience turned into self-preservation and image management.
Instead of fully obeying God’s command regarding the Amalekites, Saul adjusted the command to fit what he thought was best and then justified it. He even built a monument to himself.
His agenda had become so personal that he was no longer leading for God’s glory or even the good of the people, but for his own reputation and control.
Sadly, this happens today with leaders who’s are fueled by their own personal agendas that are rooted in pride, bitterness, insecurity, or the even the desire for recognition. These motives rarely announce themselves openly. Instead, they quietly shape decisions, justify actions, and blind a leader to the broader impact of their choices.
Over time, a leader operating from a personal agenda will begin to sacrifice long term health for short term wins, people for progress, and calling for control.
Success Supersedes Values
A Christian leader begins to lose their way when success becomes more important than obedience. Success can be a helpful measure of effectiveness, but it is a dangerous master. Not all success is faithful, and not all growth is godly.
Scripture reminds us,
“Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8).
Yet, the temptation for every leader is to justify results, even when the path to achieve them required compromise.
The reality is this: success achieved the right way is often slower, harder, and less celebrated. Often times it is completely unseen, which frankly, stinks. However, leadership is not just about success, but the means to achieve the success. Yes, when a leader begins to sacrifice values for outcomes, they may still appear successful to others, but quietly drifting from faithfulness before God.
A leader who trades obedience for results has not found success. They have simply redefined it.
Truth Get’s Lost in Doing Good
Lastly, a Christian leader will lose their way when the mission of doing good trumps the mission of doing what is true.
There are many causes worth giving our lives to. Caring for the vulnerable, serving the hurting, and meeting real needs are very good and necessary. However, when these good works are elevated above truth and above Christ Himself then they become something else entirely.
Jesus said,
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life” – John 14-6
It is possible to build something that looks compassionate, impactful, and widely celebrated, yet is disconnected from the very truth that gives it eternal value.
As one who has spent years serving hurting children, I say this with deep conviction; the greatest good we can offer is not merely care, but it is Christ. To give anything less, no matter how well-intentioned, is to withhold the only hope that truly transforms.
A Lasting Legacy
As someone who has personally witnessed the impact of a leader losing their way, I urge every Christian leader: stand firm on the truth of Scripture. Guard your heart. Surround yourself with people of godly character who will speak honestly, even when it is difficult. And be vigilant against the subtle rise of false idols, whether they come in the form of success, influence, or even good works.
And as Dr. Falwell often reminded so many: may you finish the race strong. May your legacy not be measured by what you built, but by what endured in eternity. And may you one day hear the only words that truly matter; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
