I remember watching an episode of the television show 24 where Jack Bauer is helpless in his attempts to legally convict a foreign thug because the guy is protected under the statutes of diplomatic immunity. Because he is not bound to the laws of the host country the foreign official is constantly able to get away with just about anything short of murder, based on his status as a diplomat. The truth is that this is exactly what happens throughout the church world.
Our churches and ministry organizations are filled with “top level” leaders who personify the very attitudes and actions that Jesus clearly stated was not to be allowed in his tribe.
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” Mark 10:41-43
Many of those who are reading this article have served in ministries with a leadership culture that has been formed with the very principles and practices of corporate America. Upper tier leaders treat lower tier staff members in controlling, sometimes demeaning and even abusive ways and tones. The entire leadership culture within many evangelical churches carries the scent of of the world.
It is past time we admit that for the most part we ignore what Jesus says here. Staff members, church boards, and church members are turning their heads, looking the other way, holding hands over their ears, and providing safe passage for great leaders who are “getting the job done.”
These people are deemed as so important and have built such large churches, media platforms and legacies that we cannot mount the courage to call them out. I call this Leadership Immunity.
There are lots of reasons for it, not the least of which is plain old fear. Staff members are afraid of losing favor but more so they are afraid of losing their jobs. Deep down (probably shallow down) those around these types of leaders know something is terribly wrong. How could you possibly spend anytime at all around the Jesus of the Bible and not know something is wrong when you see such behavior from a so-called shepherd or leader? The more important question may be, “How can a leader that claims to be spending intimate time with Jesus behave so un-Jesus like?”
