What causes the downfall of leaders?

Unfortunately, not many leaders have a strong finish. It seems like there’s always another story about a leader whose character failure cuts their potential short. Whether it’s an affair with a staff member, a money management scandal, or succumbing to drugs or alcohol, these issues often derail their leadership journey.

There are only a few exceptional leaders who stay faithful until the end, growing to their maximum potential in life and ministry. They are the ones who can truly echo the words of Paul, saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim. 4:7)

Dr. J. Robert Clinton, a distinguished professor of leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, dedicated 15 years to conducting extensive research on the lifelong development of Christian leaders. Throughout his rigorous study of the Bible, he identified approximately 1000 leaders, most of whom were only mentioned by name. These leaders encompassed a range of roles, from patriarchs, priests, and military commanders in the Old Testament to apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers, and pastors in the New Testament. However, only 49 notable leaders had sufficient information available to analyze how they finished their journeys.

Only 30% of leaders in the Bible finished well. This means that 70% fell short of God’s plan for their lives.

This fact should jolt any present-day leader who desires to count for God. These leaders are categorized below according to how they finished.

Ways They Finished

1. Running

Leaders like Abraham, Joshua, Daniel, Paul, and Peter enjoyed deepening intimacy with God throughout life. They never stopped learning and growing, even as mature leaders. They led with spiritual authority, for their followers recognized God’s hand on their lives. Fully submitted to the Lord, they were developed toward full potential and used significantly to advance His purposes. They completed what God gave them to do.

2. Walking

Other leaders were slowed down in their ministry because of sin. They fell short of what God intended for their lives. The ramifications of disobedience to God at some point in their leadership continued to plague them, even though they may have been walking with God at the end. Such persons may include David, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah.

3. Limping

These leaders finished the race in poor shape. They were on a decline in the latter phase of their ministry. This may have been reflected in their inner life with God or in their ministry effectiveness. Leaders in this category include Gideon, Eli, and Solomon.

4. Disqualified

Some leaders were taken out of the race prematurely. They were removed from leadership by assassination, killed in battle, denounced or overthrown. We are not referring here to an honorable end like that of Stephen. Rather, God removed leaders such as Samson, Absalom, and Ahab because He was not pleased with them. It is a tragic thing when God regrets placing someone in leadership. The price is great: personal shame for the leader and damage to God’s Kingdom.

While the interpretation of the date may be open for debate, the overall conclusion is abundantly clear. Few leaders finish well!

Only one in three biblical leaders fully cooperated with God over the long haul and experienced the corresponding results in ministry.

Do you think the ratio has improved over the past 2,000 years? A quick survey of scandals in involving Christian leaders today would indicate that the situation hasn’t improved at all.

Dr. Clinton and his associates have scrutinized detailed analysis of the lives of over 1,200 contemporary and historical Christian leaders. When compared with the study of Biblical leaders, it is clear that certain barriers commonly prevent leaders from finishing well.

Six Barriers to a Good Finish

1. The Misuse of Money

Many leaders are careless in the handling of finances. Greed can sway sound judgment, leading to sin and eventual downfall. Too often God’s resources have been diverted to personal use. Clothes donated to the poor have been taken by those handling them. Pastor’s salaries have been supplemented from funds for evangelism.

2. The Abuse of Power

There is a tendency for leaders to wield power over followers beyond its intended use and to view special privileges as their right. Their leadership style is more reflective of a “chief” than a “shepherd.” Rather than empowering followers for service, they lead for their benefit. Usually, these leaders have no accountability system. They stand at great risk.

3. Pride Success

Ministry can pave the way for inappropriate pride to develop within a leader. Self-centeredness can set in, leading to poor decisions and ungodly behavior.

4. Sexual Misconduct

Illicit sexual relationships have been a powerful tool in the enemy’s hands against God’s leaders. David’s sin with Bathsheba has been repeated countless times in our generation, with no less devastating effects.

5. Family Dissention

Unresolved conflicts between husband and wife or between parents and children can have repercussions on leadership effectiveness. Leaders such as Eli and David paid a dear price in leadership due to family problems.

6. Complacency

As a leader becomes complacent in ministry there is often a tendency to relax and rely on the successes of the past.

Factors For Success

Several common ingredients can be found in the lives of godly, effective leaders.

1. Lifelong Perspective and Learning Attitude

Effective leaders realize that God’s development agenda spans their entire lifetime. They continue to grow, right to the very end of their lives. Such new learning leads to expanded vision. The author of Hebrews writes,

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” (Heb 13:7,8)

Throughout history, God has enabled men and women to finish well. What He has done for them, He can also do for each of us. The growing leader will carefully observe how other spiritual leaders have overcome and will then equip himself to run in a similar fashion. Insights may be gained through studying Biblical leaders, by reading Christian biographies or by drawing near to godly leaders around them.

The basic processes by which God develops inner character and deep spirituality are similar for all leaders.

Character is developed as men and women are tested in areas of integrity, obedience to the Word, and sensitivity to guidance from God.

Difficult experiences, crises, and conflict are God’s productive training ground. Successful passing of these God-initiated tests often results in an increase of God’s blessing upon the leader and an expansion of leadership influence. Failure leads to remedial learning and a slowing down of the development process.

2. Spiritual Renewal and Disciplines

Jesus modeled the importance of pulling away from ministry activity to seek fresh intimacy and direction from the Father. To finish well, leaders need repeated times of inner renewal. The alternative is a drift toward complacency and a plateauing of growth. This is especially true for leaders in the middle phase of their ministry, from the mid-thirties to the mid-forties.

Leaders must “go up the mountain” to seek renewal for their lives and ministry.

Leaders who finish well have learned the value of the spiritual disciplines. The basic disciplines involving the devotional life and the study of the Bible, along with such practices as solitude and fasting can deeply shape character and increase the probability of a good finish.

After he had been in ministry for about 21 years, Paul wrote,

“I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Cor. 9:27)

Some 15 years later, when he was probably between 65 and 70, Paul shared time-tested advice with Pastor Timothy,

“Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

Lifelong spiritual training made it possible for Paul to finish strongly.

3. Mentoring

Clinton’s research has revealed that most leaders who have finished well have had ten to 15 significant people who came alongside to help them at various stages in life. Dr. Richard Clinton advises,

“Simply put, if you are serious about finishing well, you need to find mentors who can hold you accountable in every area of your life and ministry and who will help you avoid the pitfalls that will arise as you move through life. An effective mentor will ensure that you continue to grow and develop.” (R. Clinton, p.24)

God’s Desire

How do you want to finish?

Are you encouraged by the trends in your life or are crucial changes needed?

What practices and safeguards are being built into your leadership now that will make for a good finish later?

Take heart!

God wants you to finish well!

References

Clinton, J. Robert, THE MAKING OF A LEADER, Colorado Springs, CO, NavPress. 1988

Clinton, J. Robert, “The Mantle of the Mentor”, Barnabas Publishers. 1993

Clinton, Richard and Paul Leavenworth, Starting Well: Building a Strong Foundation for a Lifetime of Ministry, Altadena, CA, Barnabas Publishers. 1994