Who Are You Following?
“He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, news—especially bad news—spreads with alarming speed. Sadly, one of the more disturbing trends in recent years is the repeated exposure of scandals involving Christian leaders. Each of these stories is heartbreaking, not only because of the personal moral failings involved, but also because of the ripple effect they create throughout the church community.
When leaders fall, it often sends shockwaves through congregations. For many, it leads to disillusionment or even departure from the faith entirely. “If this is what Christianity looks like,” they say, “I want nothing to do with it.” And who can blame them? Leadership failures are sobering reminders of how deeply flawed we all are. But they also invite us to reflect more deeply—on the nature of fame, the dangers of misplaced trust, and the foundation of our faith.
Humanity Was Not Created for Fame
At our core, we were never meant to bear the weight of fame (at any level). From the beginning, God designed us not to seek glory for ourselves, but to glorify Him. As Isaiah 43:7 declares: “Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Fame in itself is not sinful, but the pursuit of it can be spiritually hazardous. It tempts leaders to rely on their charisma and achievements instead of God’s guidance. It can feed pride, distort priorities, and make accountability more difficult. Biblical figures like King Saul and Solomon illustrate how even the most blessed leaders can fall when consumed by the pressures of prominence. Their stories are not just ancient history—they are warnings for today.
God Dismantles Idols
Throughout Scripture, God shows Himself as a jealous God—not in the petty human sense, but in the righteous, loving desire to protect His people from placing their hope in anything but Him. Whether it was a golden calf in the wilderness or a king the people demanded, God has always torn down idols.
Today, our idols may not be made of gold, but they often have pulpits, book deals, and social media followings. When a leader falls, it forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: had we placed too much hope in a person instead of Christ?
Though God does not cause sin, He uses the fallout of these situations to refine His Church. Scandals, as painful as they are, can serve a redemptive purpose—exposing where our loyalties lie and calling us back to the only One worthy of our full trust.
Follow Christ, Not Men
Ultimately, the Church was never meant to revolve around human personalities. As Colossians 1:18 affirms, “He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” Christ alone is the Head. He alone is the source of life and truth. He alone is unshakable.
Christian leaders have a vital role in shepherding the flock, but they are not the foundation of our faith. Paul himself acknowledged this tension when he said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” The emphasis is clear: follow me only insofar as I follow Christ.
When leaders stumble, our faith should not crumble. Instead, it should drive us back to the unchanging faithfulness of Jesus. Both leaders and followers must be vigilant about where their hope truly lies.
The Question We Must Ask
The fall of Christian leaders is never just a news story—it’s a moment that forces every believer to ask: Who am I really following? Is my faith rooted in a person, or in the person of Christ? Do I find my identity in a church culture, or in the risen Savior?
Scandals will continue to come, not because Christianity is false, but because all humans—including spiritual leaders—are fallible. What matters most is where we anchor our faith when the storm hits.
Let us grieve the brokenness, hold leaders accountable, and learn from these painful moments. But above all, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith—the One who never fails.