What knocks leaders out of ministry?

Jonathan Hayashi Jan. 11, 2024

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"No, no, no. Not him!" was my first thought when I heard the tragic story.
It was one of my close pastor friends who was terminated from a church. I couldn't believe the news. "Why? Why God?"

Around that same time, I had three close pastor friends who were no longer in ministry.

I remember looking at my wife and saying, "I'm afraid I'm going to be the next one. If they can't make it, what makes me think I will?"

What are the "sin" areas that get pastors out of ministry?

1. Is It sexual immorality?

Yes, I've heard stories of pastors in Bible college classes. I've read many case studies of the tragic damage that's done after mass. True tragedy!

My professor told about his first pastorate as an associate, and soon the senior pastor was caught committing adultery with a children's worker in the nursery. The church called a special business meeting on a Wednesday night and forced the senior pastor out of the church.

Even recently, a spiritual giant of a leader I looked up to was caught committing the act of adultery. Now the wife and the children are mourning as the father needed to leave the home. The entire church body was taken back by the tragic news and struggled to process the hurt and distrust from the leadership.

But I think there's more that gets pastors out.

2. Is it financial embezzlement?

I think this shocking news makes it most to the social media feeds or article posts by big companies.

I remember even recently when a pastor in the area was caught by taking money secretly out of the church's reserve account in the amount of $250,000. He was immediately removed, and the church is still facing the consequences.

However, this doesn't happen very often. I think there's something a little more common.

3. Is it bitter roots?

I remember learning in seminary that pastors get taken down by 1) sexual temptation and 2) financial issues. I do think these things are true, yet from my own experience, I see it's bitterness that is rooted in the idolatry of "power."

I remember going through a rough time in ministry at one point and said, "I'm worried I am going to just end up as a bitter, gloomy, angry pastor and forget what it was like to first enter into ministry and the joy of serving Jesus."

I guess it makes sense, right? The pressure of ministry, sleepless nights, carrying the weight of the flock.

Hebrews 12:14-15 is so helpful here, "Strive for peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled."

I believe bitterness is one of three areas in life that I call "grace-blockers." The three are common sins we see in people's lives: pride (James 4:6), bitterness (Heb 12:15), and idolatry (Jonah 2:8).

I have read many different leadership books, but they rarely talk about the struggle against bitterness.

What do angry, cynical, bitter pastors look like?

Bitter people often struggle with depression.

I remember someone once told me, "depression is anger turned inward" Why? For they have allowed the sin of emotional bitterness to take rampant and control over their lives. Paul says in Romans, "Do not let sin control the way you live" (Rom 6:12).

People who are caught up in bitterness are often blaming others and upset with people around them. This comes from the rise of self-entitlement and selfishness.

First Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Bitterness is scary because it can eat you for lunch, like cancer taking up your whole body.

Instead of bearing the fruit of the Spirit, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal 5:22-23), the person builds up a passive-aggressive attitude and resentment towards others.

The greatest weapon to battle against the root of bitterness is trusting in the sovereignty of God.

How to respond against bitterness as a pastor?

Don't dwell on the earthly thoughts of man. Dwell on the heavenly thoughts of God! This is easier said than done, but so often people run through made-up scenarios of arguments in their minds that occupy and distract them from family dinner time. You're thinking words you would never say if you weren't in person.

Instead, dwell and abide in Jesus. "The joy of the Lord is my strength!" (Neh 8:10). This needs to be a true reality even in difficult times. A true mature follower of Jesus can cling to Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within them.

So often in leadership, it is important to remember that our faith in Christ must triumph over our feelings in self. The best way to counter bitter thoughts is to trust and embrace the comfort you find in the glorious doctrine of God's sovereign grace.

Why? Satan only has certain limits like in the story of the book of Job. He is not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent like our Creator God. Oh, and what a comfort, the words we find in the book of Hebrews, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Heb 13:5). God in his infinite love does not unfriend us or walk out on us because we mess up. He comes to us in the midst of bitterness.

I am now reading through the book of James with my family for our devotional time and these are rich and profound words, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (Jam 1:2-4).

As a pastor, past mistakes can truly haunt us, and feel like they can destroy our very being.

Be encouraged in Christ, my friend. Though yet still a wretched, vile, rebellious, wicked sinner, you are purchased and redeemed by Christ who came and died for you.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful (1 Thess 5:15-24).

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Dr. Jonathan Hayashi earned his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute with a double concentration in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies; a M.A., in Congregational Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary, and Doctorate of Educational Ministry in Biblical Counseling from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He presently serves on the Executive Committee at Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, MO) and serves on the Board of Trustees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as Senior Pastor at Northern Hills Baptist Church Holt, Missouri from 2020-2022. Learn More »

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