The Lies We Believe: “Church Leadership Can’t Be Trusted”
The Lie:
“Church leadership can’t be trusted.”
Many have silently carried this belief after a betrayal, a scandal, or a season of deep disappointment within the church. For some, it's rooted in spiritual abuse. For others, it stems from observing hypocrisy, pride, or control. The phrase might be whispered after a pastor falls or shouted after a trusted leader manipulates or wounds.
But no matter how quietly or loudly it enters, this lie spreads fast—and it isolates.
It builds a wall not just between people and pastors, but between people and God’s design.
The Truth:
God’s plan includes church leadership—flawed as humans may be.
Scripture doesn’t avoid the topic of leadership—it addresses it head-on.
Paul writes:
“If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.”
– 1 Timothy 3:1 (ESV)
And again:
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... being examples to the flock.”
– 1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV)
Leadership in the church isn’t a human invention. It’s God-ordained. God designed the Body to be equipped, edified, and guided by spiritually mature men who live in humility, preach sound doctrine, and guard the flock—not for gain, but for God’s glory (Titus 1:5–9; Acts 20:28).
While man can fail, God’s blueprint does not.
The answer to bad leadership is not no leadership—it’s biblical leadership.
The Consequences of Believing the Lie:
1. We Isolate from God’s Covering
When we reject church leadership, we often reject spiritual accountability.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls...”
– Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
Avoiding leadership can feel safe, but it leads to spiritual drifting.
2. We Remain Bitter Instead of Healed
Wounds that are never addressed become soul-deep bitterness. We risk becoming suspicious of even godly leaders and push away the very community that God wants to use to heal us.
3. We Disqualify Ourselves from Becoming Godly Leaders
A refusal to trust any leadership often grows into an unwillingness to lead ourselves. Hurt that is never transformed becomes hurt that is passed on. Healed men become healing men. Bitter men build walls.
4. We Undermine God’s Design
If Christ said, “I will build My Church,” and His design includes elders, teachers, and shepherds, then rejecting that design is not a personal preference—it’s a challenge to Christ’s wisdom and authority.
The Way Out: How to Move Forward in Truth
Acknowledge the Wound—But Don’t Call God Unfaithful
It’s right to name your hurt. But it’s wrong to project that onto the Lord. God grieves injustice, abuse, and prideful leadership. But He also calls us to healing, not to abandon what He created.
Return to Scripture—Not Your Feelings—for Direction
Let the Word redefine leadership, not your pain. Study the qualifications of elders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. Pray for discernment. Don’t let emotions override truth.
Separate Accountability from Abandonment
Confronting sin is biblical (Matthew 18:15–17). So is forgiveness (Colossians 3:13). Avoiding leadership entirely is not. Don’t throw away the body of Christ because one part was diseased.
Ask God to Restore Your Trust
Healing takes time. Trust grows slowly. But God is a faithful rebuilder.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
– Psalm 147:3
Find a Church That Honors the Word
Look for humility. Look for servant leadership. Look for accountability and doctrinal soundness. No church is perfect. But many are faithful. Don’t stop looking.
A Final Word:
Not all leaders can be trusted—but God can be.
His design for the Church still stands. Elders, pastors, and shepherds are not optional. They are biblical. When led by the Spirit and grounded in truth, they are a gift, not a threat.
The enemy wins when he isolates us. Christ wins when we walk in healing, truth, and spiritual order.
Don’t let past pain rob you of future growth.
Don’t let a lie keep you from community.
Don’t let bitterness keep you from blessing.
Reflection Questions:
Have you experienced hurt from church leadership? How have you processed that pain?
Have you confused man’s failure with God’s design?
What steps can you take to begin healing and re-engaging with spiritual community?
Are there faithful leaders you’ve overlooked because of past wounds?
What kind of leader is God shaping you to become?
