Leadership (11/10/2013) To Publications / Articles - Leadership (11/10/2013)
Posted 7/16/14
Laura Hazelip
Just this week, a prominent leader in the homeschool movement resigned from his leadership position and his speaking ministry because of an inappropriate relationship with a woman other than his wife. The relationship -- in his words -- was not sexual but “inappropriately romantic and affectionate” and still a sin. As Christians and homeschoolers, this is an upsetting event in our personal walk with Christ and in the training of our children because we lean so heavily upon the wisdom of leaders in the community. It is also, however, a wonderful opportunity to teach our children about sin and how we all sin, even those in leadership……not just homeschool or church leadership, but FAMILY leadership.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 Jn. 1:10)
God in His Word instructs us how to walk through this kind of event and to even grow from it. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted (Gal. 6:1). When we sin, we must humble our hearts and confess our sin; to God and to our children. This doesn’t lower the respect our children have for us, quite the contrary it shows them how to themselves repent before the Lord and to offer grace to others. Our children are much more in tune with hypocrisy than we know or give them credit for. To try to hide any sin especially such a sin like this can only damage their walk of faith. Our sons especially are much more susceptible to this kind of sin. They are tempted with the sin of the flesh around them all the time; movies, books, TV, the mall, even in the church pews and homeschool conventions. Women: our responsibility is to train our sons with whatever strategy we can to keep their hearts pure and their eyes only on Christ, and to train our daughters to recognize the temptation of the flesh for their brothers in Christ and to be aware of how they participate in it whether knowingly or unknowingly.
Sometimes, our idealism of what a leader should be causes us to stumble when an event like this happens because we have placed the leader on a higher “stool” than others. We unintentionally are lifting them up almost to the point of idolatry and it causes us, or our children, especially young adults, to call in to questions all they believe about their Christianity and their faith. We need to be there to walk with them through this and talk it out so they can see that this sin doesn’t negate the teaching of the leader or the Word of God, just because the man who preaches God’s Word sins doesn’t negate the Word itself. We are all sinners, whether in our heart where it is secret, or in public. Neither is less of a sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23.
Prayer is the answer, to whatever the question. Continually we should return to the cross in prayer, for our state and community leaders, homeschool leaders, our friends and especially our families. Show our children the cross again and again, only there do we find what our heart is missing and the strength to fight against the arrows of the enemy. Even if you are not in agreement with the leader that falls, do not delight in his sin, but pray for restoration of relationships and ministry. The Bible is full of many fallen leaders, yet God still used them for His glory. Let us pray that this is the case in this situation and realize but for the grace of God, go I.