Comments on: When Leaders Become Dangerous

By: An Open letter to a Wounded Church Member | LifeVesting

An Open letter to a Wounded Church Member | LifeVesting — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:34:40 +0000

[...] is it possible that the same guy who can so eloquently explain the love of God can be a complete control freak, manipulator, or immoral? I don’t know, except to say that the gospel is always greater than [...]

By: Andy Wood

Andy Wood — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:41:58 +0000

Denise,

Despite all my rants, I am encouraged by something someone once said to me (someone, by the way, who was in ministry but is now out of it, having completely discredited himself. He said, “The gospel is greater than the vehicle that carries it.” While we leaders have the capacity to do great harm, the church is still God’s possession, not ours, and the people who comprise the church are under the banner of His grace.

That is not to excuse anybody’s failures – God makes it clear we get the greater judgment (James 3:1). But we can still appeal to the wonderful grace of God to “stop the snowball.”

By: Denise Tatum

Denise Tatum — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:37:30 +0000

The price we see being paid is going to prove much too dear, I’m afraid. It’s hard to watch the snowball growing and be unable to stop it.

By: Andy Wood

Andy Wood — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 23:04:39 +0000

Thanks, Denise, for the encouragement. I figure every leader ultimately must learn accountability – either by seeing the light or feeling the heat! The sad question is, at what price to the organization and the people in it?

By: Denise Tatum

Denise Tatum — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:38:04 +0000

Wow. This one hit way too close to home – or what used to be home. It’s encouraging to know my husband and I aren’t the only ones who see this viewpoint.

By: Andy Wood

Andy Wood — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:24:53 +0000

Terry – yes, and the problem is that the organization itself can be numb or intoxicated by the charisma of the leader, or afraid of his/her power. Thanks for the encouragement.

By: Terry Richardson

Terry Richardson — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:24:54 +0000

Wow! Great reality check, Andy! I agree, the mainstream media fawning has become embarrassing and unprofessional, and, likely to result in a backlash at some point. And, your comments about how this is not uncommon in many groups is right on the mark, as well. When it is present, however, it is deadly to the health of the organization.