Guided by The Gospel – Issue 167 (Questions of Faith: How Do I Keep My Faith When Church Leaders Fail?)
Edward Thomas
??Certified Professional Coach | ????Christian Leadership and Transitional Guidance | ??Founder of Vogue Gift Baskets
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Many have walked away from faith—not because of Jesus, but because of the failures, hypocrisy, or actions of religious leaders. Scandals, abuse of power, and personal betrayals have led countless people to question not just the individuals involved, but Christianity itself. If faith is about following Jesus, why do the actions of preachers and leaders shake so many?
The truth is, leaders are human, and while they may hold positions of spiritual authority, they are still flawed. Romans 3:23 reminds us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Some failures are moral collapses, while others are simply mistakes. The problem arises when people place their faith in leaders rather than in Christ Himself.
Jesus never told us to follow men—He called us to follow Him. Throughout Scripture, even the greatest biblical figures made serious mistakes. Moses disobeyed God (Numbers 20:11-12), David committed adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11), and Peter denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:61-62). Yet God’s truth remained unshaken.
When a leader falls, it can feel personal. A pastor who once preached about integrity but is later caught in deception can make it difficult to trust any leader. But if our faith is shaken because of a man’s failure, we must ask: Was my faith in Christ, or in the person representing Him? Leaders can guide us, but only Jesus is the foundation of our faith (1 Corinthians 3:11).
Practical Takeaway: What Does This Mean for Us?
Reflection and Challenge - Have you ever struggled in your faith because of a leader’s actions? How did you work through it? If this issue has kept you distant from church or from God, take a moment to reflect—Jesus never failed you. I welcome your thoughts—comment below or send me a private message if you’d like to discuss this further.
With Hope and Faith,
Edward C. Thomas
Guided by The Gospel
#guidedbythegospel #faith #trust #salvation #christianwalk
Retired
1 周Thank you Edward Thomas. In my faith journey, I struggled with a few leaders who constantly used guilt tactics to manipulate people. But I learned that true spiritual leaders don't do these things, and neither did Jesus. If anybody says "You must listen to me, not somebody else", beware. That person may be leading a cult.