So, I overreacted in my post several months ago on leadership. Some readers a bit more discerning than myself pointed this out in conversations and comments, so I thought I’d revise the post. (Note, I’m not deleting it. This blog is a living record of my learning process.)

As it turns out, what I was reacting against was probably not real biblical leadership in the church, but “savage wolves” posing as shepherds. Of course, this should come as no surprise, since Paul warned that such thugs would rise up from within the church and ravage it. But the presence of wolves does not negate the need for shepherds—it reinforces it. [And, yes, Mr. Stanley. With all due respect, we should still call them "shepherds."]

Of course, what that leadership looks like is something unusual, countercultural and crucifying to the flesh. There is no model for true New Testament church leadership apart from that found in scripture. It is not found in the business world, in the military, in the classroom or even in the Old Testament religious structure.

I wrote, “The early church had essentially no authority but the Holy Spirit as he worked in the hearts of believers.” But, as friends pointed out, elders and deacons clearly had positions of authority and oversight in local fellowships, and bishops seemed to have responsibility over groups of congregations. While the ultimate accountability for spiritual growth lies in the hands of the individual, scripture does point to those who have been called to leadership in congregational life.

Note my emphasis of “congregational.” I still don’t see much biblical substantiation for modern denominational government beyond the local level—whether Protestant or Catholic—or the similar “apostolic” and “prophetic” spiritual pyramid schemes common in the independent charismatic/Pentecostal community.

But I’m open to change. Show me the scriptures, like you did last time …

One of the attributes of God is “independence”—not one that gets preached on too much, because it cuts across the grain of human arrogance with a vengeance. The implication of God’s independence is that He doesn’t need us, that we can neither add nor take away anything from His existence. Additionally, He can carry out His plan of global redemption independent of our involvement.

How does this relate to pastors having affairs?

Consider the Orlando pastor (and father of four) who carried on a 1-year-long affair with an exotic dancer, leading his wife to divorce him and start a church of her own down the road. After a three-month period of “counseling” he was back in the pulpit. You would think the “restoration” process away from church leadership would be at least as long as the affair that led to it.

Or what about the church planter who was removed from his position after being caught carrying on an illicit relationship with his married personal assistant? Now, 11 weeks later, he and his wife are divorcing (he also has small children), but a quick perusal of his Twitter feed would indicate that the primary thing on his mind is planting another church.

Many would assume that these pastors are simply power-hungry reprobates, but I have a different theory. When I read interviews with them and posts from their blogs, I think they actually believe they are indispensable to God—that the ministry they have been called to cannot be carried out without them. Simply put, God needs them. Their motives for returning to ministry are noble: They want to reach people for Jesus, and they see themselves as possessing a unique gift for doing this—sometimes even more so after they have fallen into sin. It is the activity surrounding this “indispensable” ministry for God that gives them fulfillment, because they are convinced that they play a crucial role in God’s Kingdom.

I think it is this demonic codependency that leads to many being “called” into pastoral ministry who belong in a different field, and it leads many to stay in ministry long past the time they have disqualified themselves.

“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things.” – Acts 17:24-25

I’ve observed an interesting trend in at least three megachurches recently: the man who grew the church to “mega” status retires and appoints his son to replace him. All of the young men are in their late 20s or early 30s and served on staff at their fathers’ churches before being appointed senior pastor.

Only time will tell how this will work out, but consider that in all three instances the young men grew up in great wealth and privilege (think private jets and mansions) with the unique status of being a PK. They began preaching at an early age—often in their teens—attended Bible college or did an internship, and are now given leadership of congregations of thousands, huge staffs and budgets of tens of millions of dollars. In the process, associate pastors with greater maturity, education and experience have been passed over and are now their employees.

Am I the only one who sees a disaster in the making?