What Takes Down Pastors Out of Ministry?

“No, no, no. Not him” that was my first words 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 I heard. The news honestly crushed me. “Why? Why God?” For it is not only the individual who is broken, but

– Marriage is suffering, 

– Family is crumbling, 

– Church is mourning,

– Community is shaken. 

Just around that same time, I heard a total of my 3 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 make it?”

What do pastors often take down pastors in ministry? What are, let’s say, “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! 

I remember my professor who was in my first pastorate as an associate got into ministry and soon the Senior Pastor was caught committing adultery with the children’s worker in the nursery and was caught. 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 body. 

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 and taking the total amount of $250,000.00. He was immediately removed, and the church is still facing the consequence of this mistake. 

However, decades plus of ministry, from a lay person to now lead pastor position, I don’t see this very often. 

I think there’s something more that I have found, including those who are still serving as pastors now. 

3. Is It Bitter Roots? 

I remember learning this in seminary the two that get pastors out were, (1) Sexual temptation and (2) Financial issues. I do 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 1st 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 which are 1. Pride (James 4:6), 2. Bitterness (Heb 12:15), 3. Idolatry (Jonah 2:8). 

I have read the years on many different leadership books, yet rarely talk about the struggle battle against the struggle with bitterness. 

What Do an Angry, Cynical, Bitter Pastors Look Like? 

Bitter people often struggle with depression. 

I remember someone once told me this, “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 because they are angry people. This comes from the rise of self-entitlement and selfishness. The expression came come to like the few followings, 

– “I have the right to feel the way I feel so I’ll let it rip!”

– “I am going to express my feelings at anytime, anywhere at any cost.” 

– “It is not right for me to be treated like this, so I am going to let them have it.”  

Also, Scripture so often is used more like a brick to be thrown rather than bread to feed the soul. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 says this, “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 up 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; against such things, there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23) the person builds up a passive-aggressive attitude, resentment towards others and a pity party atmosphere.

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, the past mistakes can truly haunt us, and feels 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. 

1 Thessalonians 5 says, “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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