Jake Pelfrey How Christian Leaders Lose Their Way
During my undergrad studies at Liberty University my mind was impounded with a phrase by the late Jerry Falwell.
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, Falwell clearly understood the power of repetition, specifically repeating convictions that he so desired to be transferred to the upcoming generation of Christians. His repetition worked..
Consistently, 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?
I believe I can offer a unique perspective on how a Christian leader, at least in this case, loses their way. I can also assure you, that a Christian leader does not usually quickly lose their way, but instead loses their way through a series of choices, often a drawn out process. Lastly, I offer these observations only desiring that future Christian leaders stray away from certain activities. Of course, my deepest desire is for complete healing and restoration for fallen Christian leaders, and if I can be of any assistance in the process, I would so gladly do so. With all of this said…
A Christian leader will lose their way when they isolate themselves from internal or external voices of reason.
Isolation is almost always detrimental for a leader. Unfortunately, it is very easy for a leader to separate themselves from others due to false feelings that proclaim that no one would ever understand their current situation. Isolation is also closely tied with feelings of pride. When others ask to meet with their leaders to express their concerns, no matter how lovingly or honest they come across, they are quickly turned down, due to the leader’s sense of pride that they know what is best.
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 in 1st Corinthians 15:33 when he states; “do not be deceived: bad Company ruins good morals”. 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.
The life case study approach
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, personal agendas overlook the betterment of the resources entrusted to the leader. Personal agendas can also be fueled by sinful motives such as bitterness, pride, vanity, etc…
A Christian leader will lose their way when success supersedes values.
It is true, success is a great goal, and it is a viable factor on how well one is doing in their current role as a leader. Yet, there are many who succeed by doing the wrong thing. Sadly, Success by doing the right thing is almost always harder than achieving success by doing the wrong thing. A leader who sacrifices their values for success is a leader who has lost their way.
A Christian leader will lose their way when their mission of doing good trumps the mission of doing what is true.
Everyone can agree that the mission of Sunrise is good. It is good to care for hurting children, but to elevate this act of religion above Jesus himself, who in John 14:6 refers to Himself as the truth, is a terrible act of idolatry. The president of Sunrise posed a question to hundreds of pastors across the state of Kentucky, what is the greatest good? I answer this question boldly, as someone who has worked the last twenty years with hurting children, the greatest good for suffering children is to be taught the truth of Jesus Christ in word and in deed. This is the only source of comfort and when and how we share this message to others will be the only legacy that matters.
So how does a Christian Leader protect themselves from losing their way?
- Surround Yourself with Godly influences and comitt to answering their hard questions.
- Align your decisions with God’s Word. Do your decisions find their foundation from the promises and wisdom found in Scripture.
- Place safeguards in your life to protect oneself from pride and idolatry. Spend time working an entry level shift or set a cap on your salary. Do whatever it takes.
- Create a filtering system to weed out potentially harmful decisions. For example, if this choice a good choice or a Godly choice? How is it a Godly choice?
As someone who has been directly affected by a leader who has lost their way, I ask all Christian leaders to stand firm on the Truth of Scripture, to safe guard their hearts, surround themselves with individuals of Godly character and to protect themselves from false idols. And as the late Dr Falwell would conclude with so many of his convocations; may you finish the race strong and may you be greeted into heaven with the lasting legacy that no man can give, but only one uttered from the very mouth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, well done, good and faithful servant.
Mentioned in this Article
DemopolisEffective organisations rely on teamwork, not least because it facilitates problem solving. Many leaders, however, are ambivalent about teams. They fear overt and covert conflict, uneven participation, tunnel vision, lack of accountability and indifference to the interests of the organisation as a whole. Also, more than a few have no idea how to put together well functioning teams. Their fear of delegating – losing control – reinforces the stereotype of the heroic leader who handles it all.
Although teams can generate a remarkable synergy, a number of them do become mired in endless sessions that generate very high coordination costs and little productivity gain. In some corporations and governments the formation of teams, task forces or committees can even be a defensive act that gives the illusion of real work while disguising unproductive attempts to preserve the status quo.
Arc Team
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