OPINION:
This year may be the most scandalous ever for the American church. In Michigan, Florida, Kentucky and across North Texas, leadership has recently been exposed for everything from adultery to sexual assault. Normally these types of behaviors and crimes would be shocking yet it is becoming commonplace, barely making the news unless it is committed by one of the more well-known leaders.
Some revel at the most recent revelations; they believe it proves their claims the Church is more about money, celebrity pastor worship, hypocrisy, a grooming ground as well as a form of validation for their own unbelief in Christ. Others, like me, are heartbroken for the irreparable damage done to the faith of so many who are doubting the reality of God because of the transgressions of those they once thought were bulletproof. Both sides are sickened by the trauma endured by those who have been victims and want justice.
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What went wrong?
The failure of religious leaders is nothing new. During the time of Christ, history records some of the biggest phonies were two groups of religious elites known as Pharisees and Sadducees. They held esteemed positions in the religious hierarchy but are mostly known as the purveyors of a façade. Judgment, condemnation and worship of rules became their mantra instead of love, mercy and compassion for others. They claimed to love God in tongue but never showed it in deeds or truth. Ultimately, they held a kangaroo court for Christ and pled for His execution even though they had no sufficient grounds. Stained glass windows and stained leadership have always been connected.
I became a follower of Christ at 21 years old. Suicidal and struggling to find a reason to continue living, I walked into a church and heard the Gospel. That very night I asked for forgiveness and called on the Lord to come into my life. As my life began to change, I became hungry to learn and stumbled on the program of one of the most recognizable preachers of the day. Every Sunday night I would turn on his program and watch him preach. Even though I didn’t agree with some of his theology, I couldn’t wait to hear him. Undoubtedly, God was using him to help my faith and relationship with God grow.
I had never met him, but I had great respect for him. When he was exposed for having paid a prostitute, my faith seemed to be carried away like the riptide of an ocean. How could I have been growing so much listening to him yet be so deceived? These were some of the many questions I asked myself. I finally began to understand that God can draw straight lines with crooked sticks and can use anybody or anything to accomplish His purposes. As a preacher myself, this is good news because I am a man of many flaws and weaknesses.
Many are questioning why this is happening and some reasons are clear. First and foremost, the Bible teaches judgment begins at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). Not at the neighbors, not at the trap house, not at the altars of pleasure, not at the synagogues of the occult – judgment begins in the house of God. Any good father knows he needs to set his own affairs in order before he tries to correct someone else’s. God is filled with mercy yet also demands accountability and will not allow religious facades to continue. When we mistake His patience for tolerance we tread dangerous grounds.
Another sobering reason that should put all of us on alert is the fact that there is nothing hidden that will not be exposed (Matthew 10:26). There is a day of reckoning for each of us; either in this life or the next, we will have to give an account of our lives. I was reminded of this truth last night as I read an article about a murder case that went unsolved for 30 years. A rapist and murderer had moved on with life, married and had two children until DNA exposed his heinous crimes and he received a life sentence.
In light of the recent revelations of moral failure and criminal conduct among the Church’s leaders, some are abandoning the church. Many are disillusioned with organized religion and justifiably angry with leaders who have not held the standard they heralded. Their disgust is both warranted and understood but it must not be misdirected toward God. He is not responsible. Genuine faith was never intended to be placed in any human being. Jeremiah 17: 5-7 tells us cursed is the man who trusts in man but blessed is the man who trusts God.
For me personally, the recent fall of church leaders has been a reminder of my own frailty. While I have never had an affair or been accused of any crime, I know I am fully capable of failing God, my family and the faith I have preached to millions. I am one decision away from destroying everything dear to me and giving others reason to doubt the very God who gave me a new life. The recent news has spurred me, and hopefully, others, to pray more than ever for protection and to be on guard for behaviors that could lead to destructive paths.
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Jay Lowder is an author, evangelist and founder of Jay Lowder Harvest Ministries. Follow him on Facebook via jaylowder or on Instagram at jay_lowder.
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