Editor Editor: This is an opinion column.

By Michael Brooks

Interestingly, three stories appeared in the same week about Christian leaders who got it wrong. One is a coach who behaved in a hypocritical manner. Another is a televangelist living in a $ 7 million mansion that pays no property taxes. He said that God told him to “serve this house for [your wife]. It is part of your prosperity. And a third Christian leader faces trial. His accuser, fired from the organization, claims blind allegiance to the leader is a strict job requirement, and the leader has despised COVID-19 protocols in the workplace.

This kind of ‘got’ cha ‘story is played well in the press; often it is a way for the media to humiliate the righteous, whether they be religious or political leaders.

But what should be our reaction when other believers stumble?

First, we must avoid gloating like a secular world would. The accusations are serious, of course, but it is also true that we are related. We accept a new responsibility when we decide to follow Christ. We are committed to helping our brothers and sisters in the faith, not to judging them. So we cry.

Second, I think we have to stick to the principle of accountability. There are consequences for inappropriate behavior. If you circumvent the law, there are fines and other penalties. If someone stumbles as a moral leader, he or she may have to step down for a season. Responsibility depends largely on the attitude of the offender. Contrition goes a long way; stubbornness complicates matters.

But another task we have to do is restore the dead. The apostle Paul said, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by sin, you who are pious must gently and humbly help that person to return to the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself ”(Galatians 6: 1, NLT).

Restoration is a Christian alternative to jubilation or shame. The restoration does not neglect a crime but finds a way to get around it. The restoration says to the offender, “You are too valuable to be put aside. We will work with you to make you stronger, and then you can help others who stumble.

Henri Nouwen popularized the term “wounded healer”. He said that Christ “was wounded for our transgressions,” as Isaiah prophesied so long ago, and became our healer. Nouwen further argued that Christians who suffer, whether through loss, illness or bad choices, can be prepared for better and more effective service to others.

Dr Charles Chandler founded Ministering to Ministers to encourage ministers who have suffered involuntary dismissals. One of the hallmarks of MTM pensions is the story of those who suffered layoffs and tell how they got out of it. Chandler often tells retreat participants, “Don’t waste your pain. Use it to become stronger and to help others.

Reflections is a weekly devotional column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of Siluria Baptist Church in Alabaster. The site of the church is siluriabaptist.com.