In chapter one of LFIO Michaelson deals primarily with three specific things leaders do indeed need to control, namely money, power, and sex. These three needs “have the capacity to destroy any leader.”[1] One can almost remember the scandals that rocked the television evangelistic ministries of such people as Jim and Tammi Faye Bakker, or more recently the bankruptcy of the Schuller enterprise, mostly due to abuse of power, mismanagement of funds, and even, at least for the Bakker’s, allegations of sexual abuse. Sex, money, and power are very real concerns within the context of ministry. Yet, we cannot seem to avoid these concerns, as the church of previous eras has thought possible, instead we must find a way to take back these three things bringing them back into the fold of God’s redemptive care. Yet, is this possible? Is it possible to re-frame sex, money, and power? I believe the answer is a Biblically affirmed yes.
The
apostle Paul in I Timothy gives this advice for new pastors, Paul denotes the
term bishop, in I Timothy 3:1-7 (NRSV),
The saying
is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once,
temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, not a drunkard, not violent but
gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, keeping his children
submissive and respectful in every way— for if someone does not know how to manage his own household,
how can he take care of God’s
church? He must not be
a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well
thought of by outsiders, so that he
may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
It would seem that Paul also
knew from early on how easily it would be to be ensnared in the false allusions
of grandeur the office of pastor, or head of church, brought with it. In fact, Paul goes one-step further by
offering key characteristics for the leader of a church. You see, as I look at Paul’s list, I am ever
mindful of just how important these qualities for leadership within the church
actually are. These characteristics are
the antithesis of love of money, love of sex, or abuse of power. Thus stated my question becomes one of going
back to the Biblical witness of Scripture.
Why do we claim that we must have control over the powers of sex, money,
and power in our own lives instead of paying attention to the words of
Scripture? I ask this question because it would seem very clear to me that if I
were to follow Paul’s list in the above passage the abuse of power, sex, and
money would never be a topic for discussion. I would never allow myself access
to the destructive forces these three things are when taken outside their
natural bounds.
One
final thought regarding the temptation to abuse any or all three, sex-money-power.
This thought comes from several pastors I have the privilege to call friends.
Live in community. Be willing to be open
and honest with, if not all of your congregation, at least a select group of
friends. Call this your accountability group; God knows we all need them. Let them know when you are struggling and why. This will further insulate you against the
damaging effect of falling prey to the devil and his schemes. I chose to openly live in community with
several people, and indeed this has helped me avoid several temptations I would
otherwise have succumbed to. There’s
something about having to be brutally honest with somebody when you begin to
feel the temptations creep in. Live in
intentional community with others that understand the loneliness that
accompanies full time ministry.
In
conclusion, in a world that is crying for leaders, especially trusted leaders,
I echo Michaelson’s sentiment. The
search for trustworthy leaders begins by looking for leaders who have
demonstrated the inner capacity to deal creatively and responsibly with the
issues presented by sex, money, and power in their personal lives.[2]
Further, I believe that these issues can be dealt with from a Biblical
perspective and consequently become strengths instead of weaknesses and moral
failures. It will however take leaders that know themselves well and stand up
to the challenges presented.
Although this is a bit of a different topic than we have dealt with previously,
This is my view from The Open Road
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