For the past few years, it seems each week brings new revelations about a Christian leader who has fallen. I remember reading with disbelief that my favorite Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, had been accused of sexually inappropriate behavior. Initially I hoped the allegations were false, but after his own ministry concluded a four-month investigation, the ugly truth spilled out. The famous Christian intellectual had leveraged his position of power to abuse massage therapists in the U.S. and overseas for more than a decade. I was stunned.
When I read his books as a young man, I was electrified. He combined a vigorous intellectual defense of the faith with a winsomeness that moved thousands closer to Christ, including me. I couldn’t reconcile his ministry with the man revealed by the report. How could he abuse hundreds of vulnerable image-bearers—and then lie to everyone for years to cover it up? I had no answers.
Of course, that was far from the only story. From the Mars Hill saga to recent Hillsong scandals to the shocking story of Jerry and Becki Falwell’s immoral and predatory behavior, a lot of Christians have been left disillusioned.
Some people think we should just sweep such stories under the rug. Why air these scandals when it just brings shame on the church? But as Russell Moore argues this week, “Restoring Trust in the Church Requires the Whole Truth.” Read why he believes we can’t hide our failings if we hope to restore our credibility.
While we’re on the topic, let me encourage you to check out our resource: When a Leader Falls. With this download, you'll hear stories from fallen leaders and those who have helped with an effective restoration. You’ll also learn how to develop a crisis response team, how to communicate and investigate a problem carefully, and how to come to a resolution that works.
