How To NEVER Be Exposed

I talk to ministry leaders a lot. Many are uncomfortable with the public exposure they see coming from people like Mike Winger and Julie Roys. I get it. Nobody wants their dirty laundry aired before the whole world (of course, the best way is to not have dirty laundry). So, if you are a pastor or leader, here is some helpful advice to make sure you're never exposed.

In this video, I go over 11 steps to help you NEVER be exposed:

1. Don't commit adultery.

2. Don't pressure someone under your spiritual authority into a sexual relationship.

3. Treat people with honor and respect. Serve them without expecting them to serve you.

4. Don't manipulate your congregation or the internet for financial gain.

5. Don't cover up gross moral misconduct of your ministry associates or friends. If they are capable of sexual abuse, you must warn the body.

6. Have genuine accountability regarding your finances.

7. Don't pretend you're a king. You're a servant.

8. Practice humility every single day. For me, it doesn’t come naturally, so I have to work hard.

9. Remember what Jesus said about taking advantage of those weaker than you. Something about a millstone being tied around your neck and being thrown into the sea. Very Mafioso! Be careful!

10. Remind yourself that your congregation doesn't exist for you. They're not there to keep you employed or make you wealthy. Your job is to watch over their souls.

11. Don't use fake, vague prophetic words dressed up in dramatic language to build your ministry. To do so is to take advantage of weak believers longing to hear from God. (Sadly, this happens every day on the Internet!) If God hasn't spoken, don't pretend He has.

You see, I know both Julie and Mike, along with others who expose abuse in the Church. And particularly over these past few years, I cannot think of one person among the cases I've followed closely who was called to account without legitimate grounds. Can you?

I'm not going to list names here, but let's stop pretending these are all innocent people being falsely accused. And if New Testament elders were doing their jobs, rather than allowing powerful senior leaders to bypass accountability, we would have far fewer scandals.

Please hear me, pastor, evangelist, ministry leader: Live your life for Jesus and His flock, and you'll have little reason to fear legitimate accountability. A shepherd's job, first and foremost, is to protect the sheep. And if a shepherd refuses to do that, others with shepherds' hearts should call him to account to protect God’s flock. It's really that simple.

I find it disheartening that some ministers seem more concerned about being exposed for gross moral failure, or for covering up another minister's abuse, than about the actual sin itself. It doesn’t seem to bother them that these people will go on to abuse others. It should bother them!

Just think about the trauma produced when a trusting member of the flock is abused by the very shepherd who should protect them. It can destroy lives, shatter faith, and even contribute to suicide. This is why Jesus reserved some of His harshest language for those who cause His little ones to stumble (Matthew 18:6).

So let's commit to living above reproach, and when we fail, let's keep short accounts with God and those around us. I don't share this as someone who is perfect or better than others. I'm just a broken vessel trying to follow the Good Shepherd. That's it.

Over the past few years, I've been accused of all kinds of things.

"Who made you the judge?"

"Why do you delight in the downfall of others?"

"Your own sin is going to be exposed soon!"

Nobody enjoys being falsely accused. But that's OK. I'm not complaining. The truth is, I don't want anyone exposed, and I certainly don't delight in anyone's downfall. I delight in knowing that predators are being exposed so they cannot continue hurting God's precious flock. I would much rather see genuine repentance and accountability before public exposure becomes necessary.

Ministers are not some special class deserving protection from accountability. Quite the opposite! Scripture gives leaders qualifications that require us to live above reproach. Not perfect, but above reproach. The clear implication of 1 Timothy 3 is that those who no longer meet those qualifications should not continue in leadership. Paul spoke about the possibility of being disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).

And in 1 Corinthians 5, he tells believers that they have a responsibility to judge sin within the Church. In 1 Timothy 5:19–20, he protects elders against unsubstantiated accusations while commanding public rebuke for those persisting in sin. Apparently, biblical accountability is not the terrible thing some ministers make it out to be!

God forbid that anyone should delight in another person's downfall.

Let me remind you of something: The Good Shepherd is more concerned about His sheep than the reputation of a famous shepherd. What a revelation! If only we could live with that in mind.

We, ministers, aren't nearly as special as some of us think. Yes, Paul tells believers to honor elders who lead well (1 Timothy 5:17). But he's describing faithful elders of integrity who guard the flock, not men who fleece the flock.

Honor is not permission to abuse. Spiritual authority is not immunity from accountability. And the sheep belong to Jesus, not us. As undershepherds, we are to protect them.