Titus 1:6-9 (KJV)
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Wayward Church Leaders
English: Peresopnytsia Gospels. 1556-1561. Miniature of Saint Matthew. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
There are many bishops and pastors whose lives look nothing like what is presented as the biblical ideal. Many are divorced with rude, unruly children. There are those who rage at the least offense, who linger “long at the wine,” revel in drunkenness and sexual immorality. Sobriety, justness, holiness and temperance are far from their heart and actions. They are the “whited sepulchers” that Jesus spoke of. Their lives are nice and white on the outside, but inwardly filled with “dead men’s bones.” Of course these men are to be held accountable for their duplicity. But- they would not succeed in perpetuating their deceptions if they were not enabled by the church.
I once was a member of a church where the pastor was known to have a gambling problem. My staff would come to work on Monday, saying they had seen him in the casinos gambling and drinking on the weekend. He was a young man who looked older than his years, and his wife was noticeably absent from church. Deacons helped him to buy a home, and even paid off some of his debts. He drove a Cadillac, and wore the finest suits. The stress of sin flowed through his speech and management of church affairs. Eventually, I left as did many others. In time, the wayward pastor was replaced.
Believers should do better than this. Today’s verses show us that accountability is expected of church leaders. But if we fail to enforce the word of God, we allow bad behaviors to continue in the pulpit and throughout the church. We should pray for our leaders, but we should also lovingly correct them. The Bible says:
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Galatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
We should help our broken leaders, not enable their bad behaviors by covering up for them. Those who are reprobate should be removed. Period. Do you agree? Take a good look at your church leaders: Do they measure up? What is your church doing about it?
Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
-Verneda
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