Restoring Kingdom Builders

What are great Christian leaders really like behind the scenes?

Let me share a story with you.

When I first got married, I took a full-time job as a church custodian.

On Good Friday, a famous preacher and author – who was also on the radio – came to speak at the church.

The church seated around 400 people.  More than 600 attended that night.  The place was packed.

I stood outside with a friend waiting for the speaker to arrive.  He was late.

When the speaker finally showed up, he was grouchy.

A seminary classmate who was African-American played the piano and sang during the first part of the service.  He was good.  But the speaker wasn’t paying attention.  Sitting on the stage, he began playing with his microphone cord like a jump rope, causing people to laugh.

And then when this famous man began to speak … he started off with a racial joke.

My mouth dropped open.  I was horrified.

And then he gave a great message on Christ’s seven last words from the cross.  People were spellbound.

Every Christian leader has their flaws.  Some are public, some more private.

Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, smoked cigars – and said he did it to the glory of God.

The marriage of John Wesley (founder of the Methodists) was an absolute wreck.  (“You wreck me, baby, yeah you break me in two …”)

John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim’s Progress, couldn’t stay out of debtor’s prison.

Yet we consider those men to be great Christian leaders.

But would we today?

A pastor friend recently told me about a famous Christian author whose daughter claimed that she only had a couple of conversations with her father while growing up.  You may have this man’s books.  (I do.)

And another author – a man whose books have helped me immensely – is now divorced.  Based on his writings, he’s the last man I would have expected to undergo that experience.

Rick Warren has issues.  So does Beth Moore … and Erwin McManus … and Max Lucado … and Paul Crouch … (Oh, wait, not Paul Crouch).

I don’t know what their issues are.  Their spouses probably do.  Their staffs might.  But you might never know.

But they have issues, just like anyone else.

Leaders struggle with handling money … and lust … and overeating … and alcohol … and pride … and poor self-esteem …

While a select few sins should disqualify people from leadership, most issues do not.

And because of our frail humanity, it’s a wonder God ever uses anybody, but He does … in spite of our frailties.

Some people are masters at appearing perfect in public.  I have admired some of these individuals greatly.

I practically worshiped one of my professors.  He was smart, funny, passionate, and wise.

Then I had the privilege of having dinner with him and another leader.

My professor was painfully shy, socially awkward, and a poor conversationalist.

But man, could he preach!

It’s okay to have heroes.  We need role models.

But let’s not turn any leader into a god.

Because there’s only one God, and only He is perfect.

And yet for some reason, He only uses imperfect people.

Think about that the next time you’re tempted to rip into a Christian leader.