We are living in a time where everything is being questioned… especially faith. This is a time when strong leadership is needed, however as a Christian I have to acknowledge the absence of integrity in leadership within the Christian church. Just in my lifetime I’ve seen the Christian church lose its influence in modern society, government, and even in families.
Just in the past 2 weeks, two senior pastors of megachurches in the Dallas area have left their position. Tony Evans, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, stepped down due to poor decisions (no specific details were made public). And, Robert Morris, senior pastor of Gateway Church (one of the largest and wealthiest churches in the U.S.) and spiritual advisor to former President Donald Trump, resigns due to recent news being released about his sexual misconduct with a minor.
When I learned of both situations, it came as a shock to me personally. As they are spiritual giants in the Christian faith. I’ve personally attended both churches numerous times since I’ve moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. They both lead racially diverse churches, have very successful ministries, and are very respected by many.
It is appalling that the most segregated hour of Christian America is eleven o’clock on Sunday morning.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
My perspective of church and faith has evolved due to wisdom gained through life experiences and spiritual maturity. I was literally raised in church. My grandfather was a pastor of a Baptist church. My grandmother attended a Methodist church. My cousins were Catholic. My mother attended all types of churches, mainly Pentecostal and Baptist. My father had his own unique perspective and relationship with church. And, I went to a Christian private high school and worked at a large non-denominational church.
Church was so influential in my personal life. Until I attended college almost every relationship I had, outside of my family, I met through church.
Serving and working in churches allowed me to experience church from multiple perspectives. I saw church not as simply a place of worship, but as a non-profit organization with a corporate atmosphere where employees worked in multiple divisions or areas of ministry.
I also saw the flaws which existed in the churches I attended. It’s no doubt that Christian churches have helped a lot of people. However, it’s also true that a lot of people have been hurt as well.
After watching The Secrets of Hillsong documentary last year I actually wasn’t shocked when I learned about the public sex scandal involving Carl Lentz (by the way, I respect Carl) and the hidden secrets within Brian Houston’s family. As I have seen a lot of church drama in my life. What the documentary did do was remind me of this scripture.
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1 NLT
There Is Drama In The Christian Church
I didn’t understand exactly how much drama was going on within the church until I was able to look at the Christian church from the outside. I assume there is some sort of sex or financial scandal that has occurred in every religious institution around the world, whether acknowledged or not. Here are just a few instances of church drama which I remember occurring which have garnered widespread attention.
Jimmy Swaggart – One of the most recognizable evangelical pastors in the 1980s, and senior pastor of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries in Baton Rouge, LA. I’ll never forget his iconic quote, “I have sinned!” When he was caught having sex with a prostitute in 1988. I never attended his church, but I have friends who did and still attend.
Bennie McFarland – He was the pastor of Hightime Evangelistic Center in Baker, LA. I attended this church around 1991 when I was around 11 or 12 years old. I remember there were rumors of him touching boys inappropriately. Sometime after my family stopped attending his church he was convicted of molesting young boys.
Ted Haggard – He was the senior pastor of New Life Church in Colorado (he was also a former associate pastor of my home church in Louisiana). He was forced to resign as pastor in 2006, after he was caught having sex with a male prostitute and using drugs.
220i Leadership Program – My home church created a ministry leadership training program around 2005. Some students who attended felt they were mentally and physically abused. This one is difficult to talk or think about.
Benny Hinn – He was one of the most influential Christian leaders in my life as a young adult. His book, Good Morning Holy Spirit, was one of the first books I read front-to-back. I’ll never forget him getting a divorce, and being investigated by the U.S. Senate for misappropriating finances around 2010. I respect him for admitting his teaching and belief in prosperity theology was wrong.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I was listening to a church service this morning online, where the pastor spoke about a new law which passed in Louisiana on placing the Ten Commandments in schools. He essentially said, “How can the Ten Commandments help kids who attend schools that openly practice prejudice and racism?”
The Christian church is losing it’s grip on controlling the narrative of its past failures, including the failure to properly address and acknowledge the sins of those in pastoral positions. I’m not perfect and I don’t expect any church I attend to be perfect. Nevertheless, I have always respected those who value transparency and accountability.
Studies show that church attendance is declining. The Pew Research Center did a study, and found that Americans are steadily becoming less Christian and less religious. A large number of people don’t truly know what they believe.
I understand religion has been used to control people, and I know many Americans have used the Bible to justify slavery. Nevertheless, I’m mature enough to not allow someone else’s failure to change my faith. Nor do I expect perfection from pastors and/or Christian leaders.
I personally believe the Bible is a holy book. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I am a Christian. I believe there is a Heaven and a Hell. I believe that when I confess my sins and ask God for forgiveness… I will be forgiven.
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16 ESV
Jason's Journal 