How do we hold leaders accountable? This can be a difficult topic to navigate especially when we are called to hold our leaders in high esteem. It becomes harder still when there is a history of leaders abusing the biblical command to honour them. Whilst leaders have a vital role within the body of Christ, this role is not a superior one. Leaders, like the rest of the body of Christ, must submit to the Lordship of Jesus. Moreover, they must mutually submit to all those who name the name of Christ. Leaders are for our benefit and we should want them to do well in their roles, thus holding them accountable is necessary to the maintenance of the holy standards God requires of them. So, how do we hold leaders accountable?

Why we need Leaders?

Whilst this is not an article on the importance of leadership, it is vital to understand what leadership is and why it’s necessary, so we can accurately define how we ought to hold leaders accountable. For the purposes of this article, I’ll define leadership as ‘any person(s) appointed by an organisation to preside over a people‘ and it will be primarily focused on Christian leaders. In the Bible, there are different kinds of Christian leaders: from prophets and judges to kings and pastors, whilst each role occurred at various times during human history, each had the same focus – to lead the people of God in the ways of God.

All leaders are appointed by God (Romans 13:1). Since they are appointed by God, to rebel against leaders is to rebel against God (Romans 13:2). These appointed leaders are commanded by God to care for those they lead (Romans 13:4-6), whilst those within the local church are additionally required to equip the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-15). Consequently, the definition for a leader we receive from scripture is one of servitude, not of domination. However, leaders, like the rest of us, are fallible and are susceptible to temptation that can lead to sin. Whilst sin can happen in isolation, its effects never remain such. Sin is pervasive and its effects are extremely damaging, the effects appear grander when a leader falls. Sin can occur when there is a lack of accountability, and when accountability lacks, especially amongst leaders, the results are detrimental. Accountability protects and serves both the leader and those in their care.

Leaders need accountability

In the new testament, we consistently see a plurality of leaders being employed when leadership is required. Whether it is the formation of 12 apostles (Matthew 10:2-4, Mark 3:13-19, Luke 6:12-16), or of deacons (Acts 6), or reference to elders (1 Peter 5:1-2), we continuously see leaders established in groups. Furthermore, these elders that are employed in their roles have particular qualifications that they must meet. This acts as a safeguard for those who would be leaders and those who would be under them, what should be expected and what to expect.

In 1 Peter 5, the Apostle Peter begins the chapter by exhorting elders to take care of the flock of Christ with all joy and humility and not under compulsion (1 Peter 5:1-2). Verse 3 illuminates that the responsibility of leaders is to be ‘examples to the flock’. The qualifications outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 & Titus 1:5-9 are the qualities that leaders are supposed to exemplify. This is how the flock are able to hold their leaders to account. Leaders aren’t called to act rogue or create such a separation from the rest of the body of Christ that no one is aware of their actions. Rather, the role of the leader is to serve their Lord (Jesus) and the sheep. Since God selects those who would be a leader, and what such leaders should be, how can we, as the flock, ensure that our leaders lead as they should?

What should accountability look like?

Accountability is not the flock policing every single action that the leader makes nor is it fellow elders devising a plan to ensure a more senior leader follows their purposes. Instead, accountability acts as a spiritual guardrail for leaders and flock alike, to ensure that they are not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). Thus here are some suggestions to how we can hold our leaders accountable:

1) Leaders are for you. I think this is the primary place to begin. Now, this can be viewed from a selfish position. Guard against that. Leaders are not erected by God to answer to every beck and call of the flock, instead God sovereignly chooses leaders to serve the flock that they may treasure Christ. It is our business that they do a good job.

2) Sin is pervasive. I fear that the issue we see in 1 Corinthians 5, occurs in our current Christian climate. Sin is not just an individualistic issue. Paul says ‘do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump’ (1 Corinthians 5:6). Sin shouldn’t be ignored, lest it should spread throughout the body. If you see sin either present or with the potential to appear, it is your responsibility to alert the elders to the potential or current sin in the leader.

3) Church discipline. This point elaborates on the previous one. Find out whether your church or Christian organisation has a disciplined structure and if they don’t, ask why not? One of the clearest descriptions of church discipline is found in Matthew 18:15-17. We see here the step-by-step instructions given by Jesus on how to manage the discipline of a person caught in sin.

4) God’s glory. It is for God’s glory that God’s leaders shepherd God’s sheep well. Christ is the great shepherd (Hebrews 13:20). Jesus tells Peter, “if you love me feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17) and this is what He expects of leaders. When leaders to look after the sheep well, it will help the flock see how the great Shepherd ultimately looks after them well. This is why we need good leaders, God’s glory is at stake.

Holding leaders accountable can be intimidating. Accountability is not a work to do alone, instead it is a corporate work that primarily occurs in a local setting for the benefit of both the local and the global body. Having good leaders is for our good and God’s glory. We should desire that our leaders live holy lives both publicly and privately so that God’s name or His body would not be under reproach. Holding our leaders to account is not moderating their behaviour by some subjective standard but by lovingly ensuring that they remain within the guardrails Christ has given for their good.

Leaders we need you to be good at what you do, not just in competence but also in character. Therefore receive the accountability that is made available to you, because at the end, God promises that there is an ‘unfading crown of glory’ that awaits (1 Peter 5:4).

*(Read more here https://www.ourgodgivenmission.com/the-lost-art-of-honour-in-the-21st-century-how-do-we-display-honour-today)

The revelations about Ravi Zacharias have no doubt left a bitter taste in many mouths. A man of his spiritual stature, intellect and humble demeanour- no one could have ever suspected what was taking place in his heart nor in his private life. What most find difficult to stomach is how could a man deemed to be one of the greatest defenders of the Faith, be found to have actively and carefully crafted such troubling, abusive and deep-rooted perversion against women for so many years? 

It would not be a stretch to say these revelations have left a number of saints shaken and afraid of what could be taking place behind the closed doors of church offices, conference hotels and pastoral homes. Personally, I was left baffled at my dismissal of those who initially blew the whistle. I felt betrayed by my heart which had made an idol of Ravi, a man who had encouraged my faith and had given me a fresh zeal for the Gospel which I had started to passively embrace. I saw the gravity of how presumptuous actions rooted in sin can get, if left unaccounted for and undisciplined by the living word and the church. But mostly, I saw how much I need God daily, lest I fall. However, God uses these disturbing events to teach us some hard-hitting lessons.

God will always receive His glory, in spite of us

God’s glory can never be stolen from Him. The evil actions of men and women, whom we consider to be modern-day heroes of the faith, cannot undo what God has already accomplished through them. Throughout the Scriptures we see God deliver His people by the hands of those who are considered to be evildoers. We see narcissistic kings who encourage sex trafficking (King Xerxes- Esther); brothers controlled by raging envy selling their own into slavery(Joseph’s brothers); thieves driven by greed and Satanic influence trading out their innocent friend for money (Judas-Jesus) – be the very people that God instrumentally uses to bring about salvation.

God did not cause these people to sin, but He never let the results of their actions end in sorrow or condemnation. Instead, He uses those instances of sin, to bring about a glorious display of His grace and mercy- by saving sinners, through sinners, by the work of His Holy Spirit. He uses dirtied hands to save.  

Fight Your Idols

The exposure of those we consider to be our modern-day “giants” of the faith can unroot a nasty seed of toxic loyalty. A loyalty that is so far removed from logic that once we hear truthful, coherent accusations of the leaders in question, we are quick to put our fingers in our ears, shut our eyes and forcefully silence the victim(s). This is idolatrous behaviour and in no way does it reflect the heart of God that commanded us to “not have other gods before Me”(Ex 20:3), and the very same God who commanded us to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

In operating out of idolatry, we fail to look towards the Scriptures’ guidance on these matters (2 Tim 3:16), but instead choose to twist it to the leaders’ favour, enabling their sin and furthering their abuse (2 Tim 3:1-5). We fail to reflect God’s heart in seeking justice for the victims; in loving kindness as we seek reconciliation; and walking humbly beside Him acknowledging our own failings (Mic 6:8). 

We must be wary of the vicious forms of idolatry that can so easily form in our hearts and pray for God to deliver us from the worship of man instead of the Creator. We must make it our responsibility to let our love be sincere (Rom 12:9) for the victims who bore the brunt of our leaders’ sin, strengthening them in the truths of Romans 8. Showing that God’s love has neither changed towards them, nor is it partial, and in fact, He promises to be an avenger to those who hurt his sheep, big name or not (Rom 12:9). 

Unveil Your Hidden Sins

The public demise of leaders should alert us to the urgency there is in fighting our hidden sins, confessing them to our brothers and sisters, and seeking help in gaining victory over them. “What was in the darkness shall come to light” (Luke 8:17)- God makes no jokes, a lie has a short life. 

The more loyal we are to our secret sins, the more we become deceptive and manipulative to those around us in order to hide away from being exposed or even being suspected. That is why when news breaks out, shockwaves rip through the community and most saints are left crying out in denial, “But that’s not the man we knew!” But God knows, and the words, “I never knew you”, may be uttered to those who are more loyal to feeding their sin, when they face the Great Judge. Let us not be found in the same predicament. 

When we hide our sin, we overload on doing good in order to shy our consciences away from the bad we love so dearly. We bear the same markers that David had when he connived to kill Uriah in order to bury the fruit of his secret sin. However, we can also follow David’s example in the fact that he did not stay concealing his sin, when confronted by God, he repents (Psalm 51).

Realise the Truth

Bearing the Lord’s name as His child means living out a righteous life, and in order to achieve such, we must start with the truth. The truth is, if it wasn’t for God’s restraining grace at work in us all, to keep us from realising and manifesting the full extent of our depravity, we would have committed heinous acts.

Sin should never be left alone. Do not keep silent about your struggles/dark urges, lest you waste away (Psalm 32:3). Confess your sins to each other and pray for one another that you may be healed (James 5:16). He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us, because of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross and His current intercession for us (1 John 1:9).

Challenge Yourself

Think of a leader you look up to in the faith. It may be your pastor or your giant of the faith. We as a church and the body of Christ, should not take part in allowing any institutional failings when our leaders fall. We must confront how we view our leaders. Ask yourself:

• Do I see my leader as above reproach? 
• Can I acknowledge that my leaders have heavy besetting sins that they battle daily? 
• Do I fervently pray for them to be kept from the influences of their flesh and of the world?
•  Does our church community reinforce a culture of transparency, accountability and discipline?
• Do I recognize that they are just human, saved by grace also embarking on a lifelong journey of spiritual warfare? 

The gifts that our leaders hold are not by works, they don’t come out of their efforts in reading lengthy texts, their likeability, their seminary degrees, or in their use of clever analogies when teaching. Yes, these attributes can aid our knowledge of God and so on and so forth but ultimately, they are under grace. It is God who imparts the gift and it is God who saves the lost. 

Consider the Gospel

Consider the power of the Gospel, it is powerful enough to save the unsavable by human standards. It is God’s lifeline rope, given out of love, to save unholy creatures from impending judgement. Judgement enacted to those who refuse to acknowledge His authority and turn away from their sins and receive His free gift of salvation. Judgement in a place where there is never-ending anguish, where soul and body will be destroyed, where there is utter darkness and unquenchable fire. A place where there is no way out. 

The Gospel does not stop there. God does not just stop at saving us from eternal judgement, but He brings us close to Himself for eternity. His Holy Spirit makes His dwelling place within us and allows us to see God in many wonderful arrays. He becomes the Love that will not let us go, the Light that illuminates the dark terrains of the valley, the Joy that seeks us through pain, and the One who lifts up our weary heads to the hope set before us (Matheson Hymn).

May we be humbled by this Gospel. That though we did not deserve to even taste a scintilla of this grace or mercy, God STILL CHOOSES to rain it down on us morning by morning, in full inexhaustible abundance. Dear Christian, take time to consider the Gospel today and let your heart sing for joy in how great His faithfulness is.