The news was shocking. Another minister had disgracefully fallen.

This wasn’t just any minister, but an influential leader with a large following — someone I personally admired. In fact, I had just been reading and enjoying his book.

With disappointment and disgust, I thought, How could he? What happened in his life that led to such disastrous choices? What about his wife and family? Who else did this scandal hurt, and how will it impact God’s kingdom?

As soon as these questions surfaced, however, I sensed the Holy Spirit saying, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

It was a gentle reminder that I am not immune to temptation. I must guard my heart, lest I fall as well.

We are all prone to wander and susceptible to failure. Peter self-confidently told Jesus, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will” (Matthew 26:33). But Jesus stopped Peter short: “This very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times” (verse 34). Every church leader needs a reality check from time to time.

As an ordained Assemblies of God minister and clinical psychologist, I have operated a private practice, taught at an AG university, and served with Adult & Teen Challenge.

I have also assisted my district in the restoration process of ministers. I listened to the stories and regrets of these leaders and saw God begin to heal and reconcile them.

Through this redemptive process, I have observed patterns and learned lessons that can benefit every minister.

No one wakes up and decides to compromise their deeply held values. So, what goes wrong, and how can we avoid those pitfalls in ministry?

I have noticed three factors behind many ministerial failures: pressure, power, and a pity party.

Pressure

Managing the pressures of ministry is a skill every church leader must develop.

Ministers face deadlines, demands from every direction, and a steady stream of criticism. There is constant pressure to perform, lead, innovate, say and do all the right things, and measure up to expectations.

When character does not match competence, the pressure eventually reveals what’s inside.

At the same time, pressure can become an excuse to compromise integrity, obedience and righteousness. We may tell ourselves the good we did all week justifies whatever happens when we think no one is watching.

Spiritual decline often begins with such rationalization, even if it’s at a subconscious level. When ministers under pressure decide they deserve whatever it takes to relax, unwind, and let off some steam, immoral behavior may follow.

Dismissing sin as self-care is dangerous territory. Suddenly, flirting with someone outside of your marriage or taking a few sips of alcohol may seem like no big deal.

Power

In addition to pressure, the sense of power that comes with ministry makes leaders susceptible to a fall.

Leading with little accountability is unhealthy. Getting away with small compromises opens the door to bigger problems.

When there are few checks and balances on power, appropriate boundaries around financial decisions, relationships, and personal habits can become blurred.

Having a church board in place is not enough. Pastors need to encourage mentors, staff members, and other leaders to ask them hard questions. Without such accountability, ministers are vulnerable to a false sense of security and invincibility.

Pity Party

Self-pity often contributes to the downward spiral. Feeling overworked and underpaid leads to offense, resentment, and a sense of entitlement.

A mentor who is willing to call out problematic behavior and attitudes can help protect you from yourself.

A minister might begin to think, They have no idea how much I’ve sacrificed.

The idea that a little extra money is long overdue can lead to financial mismanagement. Feeling undervalued can trigger old coping mechanisms for pain, such as pornography, people pleasing, or substance abuse.

Guardrails

Too often, the trifecta of mismanaged pressure, power, and self-pity leads to spiritual decay and moral failure.

Little foxes ruin a vineyard (Song of Songs 2:15). And just a little yeast eventually works through the whole batch of dough (Galatians 5:9). Similarly, the journey down a slippery path of destruction often begins with small steps in the wrong direction. We must be careful while standing, lest we fall.

With these things in mind, be sure you are putting some guardrails in place.

First, manage stress and pressure. If you’ve served in ministry for a while, you can probably predict when your schedule will become most hectic.

My husband, George, is president and CEO of Adult & Teen Challenge of Texas, and audit season can be intensely stressful for him. George anticipates the pressure and tries to balance his personal life with activities he enjoys, like pickleball and tennis with the family.

Seek out wholesome outlets that truly refresh you. Although it’s easy to withdraw from family members when tension is high, remember they are in this with you. Pursue a new hobby together. Schedule time on the calendar for special outings with your spouse and children.

Spend time in God’s presence — especially during stressful seasons. As John 15:1–17 explains, the key to fruitfulness in life and ministry is abiding in Christ. Most ministers who fall report a significant decline in personal devotional habits.

Set aside daily time for prayer and Bible study, solely for the sake of intimacy with the Lord rather than sermon prep or other ministry requirements. Rediscover the joy of simply seeking Him.

Second, balance power dynamics through accountability. You need people who will not only affirm you, but also challenge you to grow. A mentor who is willing to call out problematic behavior and attitudes can help protect you from yourself.

David’s fall with Bathsheba occurred when his kingdom was established and prosperous. It’s easy to become complacent when the church is growing, the bank account is full, and ministry is expanding. During such times, we can forget God is our Source and overlook our need for Him.

When you are tempted to lean on your own power, you need Spirit-led people around who will speak honestly and point you back to God.

Finally, guard against the emotional pitfalls of ministry. Accept that there will be times when congregants appreciate, love, honor, and respect you, but there will also be times when people — sometimes the same ones — will criticize, slander, and betray you.

Don’t let rejection become an excuse for returning to old vices or indulging new ones. Acknowledge your weaknesses, and know your triggers. Seek the help of Christian counselors, godly friends, and fellow ministers who can support you spiritually and emotionally.

Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” The good news is we don’t have to fall. We can stay the course and honor God in ministry by remaining alert and following biblical principles.

Whether you are on or off the platform, in front of your team, or behind closed doors, remember the Lord is watching. And He wants you to succeed in ministry.

What a blessing to know God desires to strengthen us during times of pressure, guide us toward accountability when we feel full of ourselves, and comfort us through the ups and downs of ministry.

It’s humbling to think we are susceptible to failure, but it also keeps us dependent on God’s help and wisdom — which is exactly where we need to be.

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen” (Jude 24–25).

This article appears in the Winter 2024 issue of Influence magazine.