Character Before Charisma

We all have authority figures in our lives. We have parents, bosses, pastors, and politicians. We tend to look for knowledge and skill in our leaders. They should be confident and competent. This may be adequate for most influential people, but we need to require more from our spiritual advisors.

I don’t have to recite the litany of abuses and flaws in religious leaders, particularly in evangelicalism. There are cases of financial impropriety, chauvinism, and bullying, not to mention infidelity, sexual harassment, child abuse, and rape. Powerful people and organizations in the church world have worked together to stifle the voices of victims, and to protect their own power.

Why is it that the very people who should exemplify integrity are the ones abusing their power and harming those in their care? How can someone who represents a loving, caring God become an instrument of evil? It’s because we’ve elevated charisma over character.

Our preachers have become celebrities. Their ability as orators draws crowds and helps to fund impressive church buildings. The churches are often run like businesses, centered around the influence of the lead pastor. Extra-church ministries are similar. A well educated and charismatic leader can sell books and sell out arenas. The ministry creates jobs, and the livelihoods of countless people are intertwined with the success of a single individual. The pastor is less Jesus Christ and more Elon Musk.

Divinity degrees are great. The ability to rouse emotion and tell a good tale in front of a crowd is a useful skill. However, knowledge and magnetism must be paired with integrity, character, and a servant’s heart. I think about my Dad, who late in life became a pastor. He had a master’s degree in Entomology, but no real theological training. Despite that lack of formal education, he knew God. He lived a life of righteousness, and was a willing servant to anyone in need. That’s what made him a good pastor.

I didn’t listen to his sermons and expect to hear a dissertation on the original Greek meaning behind Paul’s letters, given the Eastern cultural context during the Roman occupation of classical antiquity. I did listen to his advice about how to strengthen my marriage and raise a family.

We’ve lost sight of 1 Timothy 3:1-7. Paul says that a church leader’s life must be “above reproach,” and unbelievers “must speak well of him.” Paul says leaders should be “able to teach,” but otherwise doesn’t mention education or speaking ability. Instead, it is ALL ABOUT CHARACTER. Read it and ask yourself if your pastor or favorite TV evangelist fits that description.

When famous Christians struggle morally, or worse, abuse their power, it turns people away from God. These leaders should represent God’s character, but too often they act on the worst of our human frailties. We can’t expect perfection, but we should expect them to try. We should expect them to be the best among us. Of course, we should forgive, but it is also right to remove anyone who abuses their power from all leadership positions. Repentance and forgiveness doesn’t absolve someone of the consequences of their actions, and the consequences for those in spiritual leadership must be harsh. Honestly, this is one of the reasons I’ve never felt called to be a minister. The weight of responsibility is too great.

Fortunately, all of the pastors I’ve had in my life are men and women I respect. I’ve gotten to know them and I can see their character with my own eyes. The glitzy sermon with the professional video montage may be entertaining, but is the pastor living a life of integrity? We focus on the showmanship at the risk of forgetting about the character. We have got to rebalance our expectations and look for the highest integrity from our pastors. We need to put character before charisma.