1. They will not receive Correction. And I don't mean merely on big Biblical or Doctrinal issues. I mean about anything.
Actually that's in Romans 5 not 6.
You missed the exit to the off ramp.
Her dress was blue, not green.
You're pronouncing that word wrong.
If hearing things like this upsets them, no matter how kindly they are said, they've got a major problem.
2. They never admit they are wrong and they never apologize. If someone has been a Christian leader for a long time (years) and they have never openly admitted an error, any error, big or small, that is a HUGE problem. They either don't believe they've committed one or they are covering up their errors. Both are extremely dangerous.
CHRISTIANS are always wrong at some point because we are fallen and fallible. We are not just wrong occasionally, we are wrong frequently.
We OWN up to our Sins.
Ask God for forgiveness.
We apologize to the person or people we have wronged.
We do everything we can to make amends and make things right.
ALL these things TOGETHER demonstrate TRUE repentance and without repentance God does not forgive us.
3. Christian Leaders are not supposed to be rich. This is not a popular belief in western countries where we are so affluent, because even if Christians aren't rich yet, they are often trying to GET rich and admire those with money. But having a bunch of money, living in a big house, driving expensive cars, dressing in expensive clothing, staying in the finest hotels, going to the best restaurants, taking luxury cruises, etc, etc, are diametrically opposed to the humble and simple lifestyle we have been called to.
If you are a Christian with a gift of being able to create sound businesses and make money, then pay your employees well and then GIVE THE REST AWAY.
4. You don't have DIRECT access to your Christian Leader. You should always be able to schedule a meeting with them and be able to contact them by email and expect a timely answer and I mean from THEM, not someone who monitors and answers emails for them. Distant, aloof, unapproachable. These are unacceptable in a Christian Leader.
5. (Mark this one well) There is no such thing as a Christian Celebrity. Let me say that again. THERE is NO SUCH THING as a CHRISTIAN CELEBRITY! Period. A Christian celebrity is a Person who has sought to OR allowed themselves to become an IDOL.
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I never got to see Christian writer and musician Rich Mullins in concert before he died, but a friend of mine did. It was right after Rich's song, “Awesome God” had been published in several hymnals, which was an honor modern Christian Contemporary Artists hadn't received. If anybody deserved to be a Christian celebrity it was Rich Mullins.
Yet my friend was telling me how Rich ended his concert.
He came out for a second encore alone with his guitar. He sat on a stool and divided the audience into three sections and led them in a popular worship round. He told them to sing it through 3 times. Then long before they ended he just left the stage.
They kept singing with their minds focused on Jesus and when they were done the stage was bare and there was nobody left to applaud for.
Rich Mullins might not have been able to avoid being well known, but he realized being a Celebrity was a mindset and against what Jesus has called us to be and he exhibited this in his humble lifestyle and attitude.
If these things I've listed are being played out in your Christian Leader, whether that be the leader of a Church, Ministry, Teacher, a Boss (or even a Parent) then this is a Person you should NOT be listening to.
The Truth with Love,
Always Laura-Lee
Awesome God (with Lyrics) by Rich Mullins
