Pastors Are Imperfect, But Not All Are Toxic, Corrupt, and/or Abusive
A Humble Call for a Balanced Perspective
This short article is for those Christians who have been hurt in church (including hurt by pastors) and those Christians who care about those who have been hurt (which should be all of us).
There’s a growing sentiment on social media (and here on Medium) that most churches are unsafe and that most pastors are corrupt, toxic, and/or abusive.
I know people have been hurt in the church. I know that. And I know there are indeed corrupt, toxic, abusive, despicable, and/or predatory pastors out there. And that is tragic and reprehensible. These pastors should be removed and held fully accountable for their sins and offenses against the people of God and against God Himself!
I think of the warning of the prophet Jeremiah…
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:1, KJV)
And I think of what Peter says…
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God…
