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Integrity and Accountability

"Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts." (Psalm 51:6a NKJV)

When I think of most pastors and evangelists – and indeed most Christians – I think of people of unimpeachable integrity.

The word “integrity” is used 16 times in the Old Testament and literally means, “that which is whole, complete, and congruent.”

          Integrity is possessing what we profess.
          Integrity is living right when no one else is looking.
          Integrity is living at home what we profess in church.
          Integrity is making the principles of our faith the practice of our living.
          Integrity is incorruptible soundness.
          Integrity is doing what we say we will do and fulfilling our obligations.
          Integrity is keeping our promise of personal purity.

When we consider the news breaking currently of the various crises being caused by breeches of morality, integrity and accountability regarding a few megachurches and ministers, in the words of Yogi Berra, “it seems like déjà vu all over again.”

The most notable crisis was ignited by the announcement of a pending Senate Finance Committee investigation, spearheaded by Senator Charles Grassley (R-Iowa). They are gathering information on reported ostentatious lifestyles and misuse of tax-free ministry funds for lavish purchases, such as alleged $200,000 sports cars and $23,000 toilets. Such excesses seem reminiscent of the mid-80s when similar accusations rocked the Christian world.

In 1984, I was serving as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). At that time, Dr. Thomas Zimmerman (general superintendent of the Assemblies of God) and I co-founded and co-chaired the Ethics and Financial Integrity Commission (EFICOM). This step became necessary because several of religious broadcasting’s so-called brightest “stars” refused to be accountable to anyone anywhere.

It was demoralizing then. It seems even more demoralizing now. Evidently, some did not learn anything from the lessons of history.

To say there was – and sadly continues to be – a seemingly ongoing collapse of basic morality, integrity and accountability among an uncomfortably significant few of the so-called “leaders” of the Christian world, is an understatement.

Adoring Christian publics have made idols of sometimes egocentric, even megalomaniacal CEOs of a few popular ministries and megachurches, where sadly Christ has become their business instead of their Lord. An arrogant aura of invincibility seems to be a common denominator for most of the personalities involved in the current batch of outrageous and irresponsible behavior now surfacing.

C.S. Lewis, in his classic, The Screwtape Letters, describes success and prosperity as “excellent campaigning weather for the devil.”

The current bad news was made public through recent letters to six targeted “major” ministries, telling them they have four weeks to send Senator Grassley copious volumes of paperwork to prove they are in compliance with US tax laws. High-profile ministries are no strangers to controversy. Those under investigation probably started out with such lofty purposes and succeeded far beyond their wildest expectations, only to hit the wall with such a sickening thud.

I’m trying hard not to rush to judgment in these cases. I’m personally acquainted with the leaders of most of these accused ministries and admire the good work that most of them have done in the Kingdom of God through the years. However, I wonder how anyone can spend ministry money to pay $10,000 (or more) per night for luxurious hotel suites on their way back home from foreign ministry trips.

I may have more to say later on, but for now I simply cannot remain silent while the Body of Christ suffers wounds from those who supposedly are from the house of its friends. I am already embarrassed that a US Senatorial Committee is forced to police any Christian ministers and ministries. The various Christian publics and the various Christian publications should have held up the biblical standards. Not unlike in worldly businesses, money and power seem to rule.

Also, I’m deeply disturbed by the flippant divorces all “spun” with “God-talk.”

Of course, none of it should have happened, nor should it happen again, because of at least three foundational reasons:

1. Because they are looking in. How can they live with themselves subjugating the authentic gospel, where the word “minister” means servant?

2. Because others are looking on. Sadly, the higher the visibility the bigger becomes the target. After a time, irreparable damage is done to the faith of committed and uncommitted onlookers alike. Surely, at some point, the bad outweighs the good. The Word of God is still true, ... be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)

3. Because God is looking down. In the early days of our faith, perhaps we may have been confused by this scripture, but not any more:

Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, ‘I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ (Matthew 7:22-23)

In today’s climate of investigative (tabloid) journalism, the excesses of a few should not impugn the reputation and credibility of the majority; but unfortunately, it happens in many instances. In some way, the entire Body of Christ suffers (the many for the few). We should pray for those who are guilty that they will find a place of redemption and reform. We should also pray for those who may have been falsely accused, since they may be damaged in a media circus witch-hunt that is likely to happen as this scandal of alleged moral and financial impropriety reaches the Congressional level. There will be no small upheaval. The embarrassment to the Body of Christ can be serious.

For the overwhelming majority of pastors, evangelists, and other Christians, integrity means working faithfully for God and reporting back regularly, honestly and with accountability.

But those few others (most of them Pentecostal/Charismatic) must feel that they were and are somehow “special” and are exempted from biblical standards and societal expectations, as evidenced by the conduct of a very few of America’s most visible pastors and evangelists. No one is exempt from the standards of integrity taught in the Word of God. Nobody has a free pass from the high-impact penalties of wrongdoing.

Nobody.

Today, myriad sounds and images swirl into an often confusing and dizzying array of “ministers” of God vying for our attention and support in one way or another.

What should be the parameters of our reasonable expectations of them?

First, we should follow the scriptural admonition to “know them which labor among you.” (I Thessalonians 5:12)

Also, we must follow the clear-cut standard regarding how God’s true ministers may be identified with unmistakable clarity; By their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:20)

We should seek to generously support those true ministries for the Lord around the world whom we prayerfully believe to be “good ground” and continually plant good seed with solid confidence and trust that abundant fruit will be steadily produced.

Pray that God will prevent any of us from jumping to the false conclusion that because one apple may be rotten, the whole barrel is also rotten.

God has always had His remnant of pastors and evangelists who are faithfully committed to their calling from the Lord and are not for sale in any marketplace anywhere, at any time, for any price.

They are going to do their duty simply because it is their duty. Like Jesus, they have meat to eat that most “know not of.” (See John 4:31-32)

Respectfully and prayerfully,
Carl Richardson