I was recently asked the question:
What are the dangers that disqualify church leaders from leadership in the church?
Great question. The one who asked the question had a purpose. Thankfully, it was that this young church leader wanted to avoid them if possible. I love the intentionality.
I had to think back over my years in church leadership and some of the situations I’ve seen that derailed a ministry leader’s ability to lead.
While the term “disqualify” may not always fit—I may even prefer the word “sidetrack” because I believe God’s grace can restore—even those in ministry, certainly each of these can keep a leader from leading at full capacity.
I chose, based on the question I received, to stick with the term “disqualify.” As strong as the word is, there certainly are times that is the case.
When the leadership of a minister is injured by any of these, whether they can be restored or not, the effectiveness of the ministry is jeopardized.
These are the type of dangers that, if the leader doesn’t seek help, improve as a leader or renew their passion for ministry, he or she may never be completely effective in ministry, and may even lose their position in ministry.
Here are five dangers that disqualify a church leader:
Immorality
Immorality has destroyed many great leaders. Don’t let it happen to you.
Dishonesty
When you lose the ability to be trusted, you distance yourself from people who are willing to follow. Don’t let it happen to you.
Half-heartedness
If you aren’t willing to give your best, pretty soon you’ll have nothing worth following. Don’t let it happen to you.
Laziness
Ministers who take advantage of flexible work schedules or less structured accountability to work less are eventually discovered. Don’t let it happen to you.
Complacency
When you don’t care, neither will the people you’re trying to lead. Don’t let it happen to you.
God can restore. He does restore. I believe you can move forward after any of these dangers.
The more you protect yourself from these dangers, however, the stronger and longer your tenure in ministry will be.
What dangers would you add that disqualify a church leader?
