The Impact of the Fall
The “fall” I refer to is not “The Fall,” as in the Garden of Eden Fall, but the fall of Ted Haggard, the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of the 14,000 or so member New Life Church in Colorado Springs. At first he denied the drug and homosexual activity allegations that were brought against him, then he later admitted to some indiscretions. Finally the church board of overseers concluded that he had been guilty of sexual immorality and accepted his resignation. In his farewell letter to the New Life Church, Pastor Haggard wrote, “I am sorry for the disappointment, the betrayal and the hurt. I am sorry for the horrible example I’ve set for you.” What is the impact of this fall?
Some of the church members interviewed stated that although this was very disappointing and they are concerned for Pastor Haggard and will pray for him; the church will not be hurt by this for Christ is the head of the church not a man. Some said his sin was very upsetting, but he is human and has confessed his sin and should be forgiven; then the church can move on. Others said this is terribly upsetting and that it will hurt the church for years to come, maybe it will never recover.
But the impact, according to some, expands beyond just the New Life Church, it impacts the whole Evangelical Movement in America. Some say that it will set back the evangelical political efforts for years. While some say that it will bring a new balance in the political warfare on “gay issues.” Some say in the big picture the ruin of one man will not hinder the political momentum that the evangelicals have mustered in recent years.
And then there is the impact that it could have on non-Christians, especially those who are skeptical of the sincerity of the big churches and their impact in America. Some may feel that their view of hypocrisy in Christianity has been validated by Haggard’s example. Some will say that it illustrates how wrong conservative Christians have been about homosexuality. Some who have had an interest in Christianity may let this push them out the door for good thinking that if you can’t trust a leader like Ted Haggard, there are no ministers that can be trusted. On the other hand, there may be some seeking non-Christians who saw in the response of the New Life Church to their pastor’s sin a respect for the Bible as their guide in expecting morality and integrity in their leadership, and while condemning sin, they were also forgiving as they followed Christ as the Head of the Church.
What do you think? What will be the impact of this fall? How much impact should it have? Other powerful Evangelist have fallen in the past, what impact did it have? Will this be different? And what lessons are there to be learned by this fall?
David Bearden
Some of the church members interviewed stated that although this was very disappointing and they are concerned for Pastor Haggard and will pray for him; the church will not be hurt by this for Christ is the head of the church not a man. Some said his sin was very upsetting, but he is human and has confessed his sin and should be forgiven; then the church can move on. Others said this is terribly upsetting and that it will hurt the church for years to come, maybe it will never recover.
But the impact, according to some, expands beyond just the New Life Church, it impacts the whole Evangelical Movement in America. Some say that it will set back the evangelical political efforts for years. While some say that it will bring a new balance in the political warfare on “gay issues.” Some say in the big picture the ruin of one man will not hinder the political momentum that the evangelicals have mustered in recent years.
And then there is the impact that it could have on non-Christians, especially those who are skeptical of the sincerity of the big churches and their impact in America. Some may feel that their view of hypocrisy in Christianity has been validated by Haggard’s example. Some will say that it illustrates how wrong conservative Christians have been about homosexuality. Some who have had an interest in Christianity may let this push them out the door for good thinking that if you can’t trust a leader like Ted Haggard, there are no ministers that can be trusted. On the other hand, there may be some seeking non-Christians who saw in the response of the New Life Church to their pastor’s sin a respect for the Bible as their guide in expecting morality and integrity in their leadership, and while condemning sin, they were also forgiving as they followed Christ as the Head of the Church.
What do you think? What will be the impact of this fall? How much impact should it have? Other powerful Evangelist have fallen in the past, what impact did it have? Will this be different? And what lessons are there to be learned by this fall?
David Bearden
posted by David Bearden @ 7:21 PM
1 comments
1 Comments:
What does it take to be a "good" church leader? I don't think there is any one answer. There are many paths to choose from in the kingdom and the biblical model is that every person has special talents that they bring to the body for the edification and uplifting of the church. However, there is no shortage of "bad" leadership in the church. The same is true in business. Dilbert is funny for good reason. Most bosses are, shall we say, suboptimal. The same is true for much of church leadership.
But, I have noticed that there is one single pattern that becomes the most common path to destruction. When a leader becomes imbued with a sense of personal exceptionalism, that is when the tough times set in. Personal exceptionalism is a feeling that one is not like other people. Those who suffer from this defect truly believe that they are special and beter than everyone else---that they are apart and above. The exceptional person has more than a grand view of himself--he has a grandiose one.
This is not the same as self-confidence or a healthy self-esteem. Confident people have a sense of their own competencies (and deficiencies), but they don't believe that they have transcended the boundaries of ordinary humanity. Those with healthy self-esteem generally have positive feelings about themselves and their value; but, this does not lead them to believe that they are judged by a different set of standards apart from everyone else.
I suspect that many in church leadership arrive with this problem already estabished. In fact, they make seek leadership roles because of their sense of exceptionality: "I deserve this role, in fact, no one else is as qualified as I am." But, they can also acquire this delusion after assuming their position of leadership. If enough people tell you how wonderful and special you are, at some point there is a temptation to believe it. It is tempting to forget that the flattery and favors that come with leadership are usually aimed at the role and not the inhabitant. So what is the big deal? How does a bit of excessive pride lead to misery? Ask Mr. Haggerty.
People who feel that they they are exceptional think rules are meant for "regular" people. So they tend to take liberties that the rest of us would never consider. Sometimes it is relatively small things. They show up at meetings late to avoid having to wait for anyone else. They park their car in the closest spot to the door while complaining that there are too few parking spaces. They are at every potluck to eat, but never bring food to share with others. These type of transgressions grow over time. Embezzlement, using church property as their own personal property and sexual harrassment are not uncommon for people with this personality type. They can justify anything to themselves on the basis of their own exceptionalism. They see themselves as special people and feel that they can't be judged by our rules. When one falls into this trap the odds are that they will fail spectacularly. The result is that they are branded as hypocrites and lose credibility on all issues.
Leaders with this misconception also tend to be rather unhappy people, no matter what face they put on for others. They judge themselves by their own grandiose standards and rarely measure up. This perpetual sense of shame for not being as exceptional as they feel can be a crushing burden.
When we see this happening to others, it can be big news. But, each person who aspires to leadership has to be on guard for this temptation. If one detects feelings of personal exceptonalism creeping into one's personality, one must nip it in the bud. If you really want to be great in the kindgom, pick up a towell and start washing someone else's feet. Serving others is the antidote for personal exceptionalism.
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