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Respectable Sins in Christian Ministry
When our family served as missionaries overseas‚ the sins of our host cultures were easy to diagnose. Street corners in southeast Asia were filled with temples‚ shrines‚ and sacrificial offerings‚ revealing the worship of false gods. In some places in Europe‚ brothels and illicit drugs weren’t hidden from view but grievously peddled in broad daylight. It took little effort to see the darkness around us.
When we moved back to the U.S.‚ the sins there were obvious too. We set out to plant a church in a nation that celebrates greed‚ drunkenness‚ and sexual immorality‚ just to name a few sins.
These blatant sins are big reasons why those in gospel ministry answer the call. We see the darkness and set out to be a city on a hill (Matt. 5:14–16). But while we easily diagnose the sins of others‚ we too often gloss over the evil within us. We see the specks in others’ eyes but not the log in our own (7:3–5). As Jerry Bridges explains in Respectable Sins‚ “We can readily identify sin in the immoral or unethical conduct of people in society at large. But we often fail to see . . . the ‘acceptable sins of the saints.’ In effect‚ we‚ like society at large‚ live in denial of our sin.”
Bridges rightly points to what’s common among all Christians. But what if we applied this truth specifically to those in ministry both at home and abroad? If we’re honest‚ church leaders must admit we’re prone to certain “respectable sins” in ministry. We grow so accustomed to these sins that we often think they’re normal and acceptable.
1. We Worry
Ministry is costly and risky. Church leaders are often short on needed funds. Fear surrounding finances often leads us to serve from a scarcity mentality. We hoard our resources. Plagued with anxiety‚ we shrink back from generosity. Our worries parade as wise stewardship. But in reality‚ we behave as if our anxiety here will somehow protect our bottom line.
Jesus’s words are for church leaders too. Don’t be anxious about your life. Your heavenly Father knows what you need. Have faith. Seek first the kingdom. He’ll give you what you need (Matt. 6:25–34).
2. We’re Territorial
This respectable sin is also rooted in a scarcity mentality. We often serve in places with dry soil. It’s tempting‚ then‚ to become territorial when seeds sprout and roots grow. Fruitful ministries are validating‚ and we want to prove our worth. So it’s easy to work for our ministry’s flourishing at the expense of other churches or to become closefisted when our disciples want to serve elsewhere and not within our domain.
While we easily diagnose the sins of others‚ we too often gloss over the evil within us.
One of my pastors used to rightly exhort us‚ “Let’s pursue the big-K Kingdom‚ not our own small-k kingdom. Let’s grow fruit on other churches’ trees.” As Jesus said when his disciples were frustrated by others doing work in his name‚ “The one who is not against us is for us” (Mark 9:40).
3. We Gossip and Slander
When those of us in ministry gather behind closed doors‚ we have to admit it feels good to vent our annoyances. Under the guise of sharing wisdom or a prayer request‚ we shamelessly slander siblings in our faith families and even other ministers or churches in our contexts. While ministry teams do need to share insight and information‚ we must be honest that sometimes we cross the line into gossip—and it feels good.
I know how upset I get if someone speaks ill of one of my children. Imagine our Father’s response when we speak ill of his. Jesus commanded his disciples‚ “Love one another: just as I have loved you‚ you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples‚ if you have love for one another” (John 13:34–35).
4. We Grumble
Pushing against the darkness requires sacrificing comfort‚ safety‚ convenience‚ status‚ and so much more. Grumbling can become a pernicious habit. How easy it is to complain about difficult people: to bemoan their lack of gratitude‚ the culture’s besetting sins‚ or pervasive injustices. It might feel like simple truth telling‚ but the heart behind the grumbler says‚ God is wrong and I know better.
When the crowds questioned Jesus’s announcement that he was the bread of life‚ he answered them‚ “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:43–44). When circumstances are confusing‚ we’re commanded to trust our God. He’s at work‚ drawing people to himself‚ even amid events and structures that don’t make sense to us.
5. We Overwork
This respectable sin looks like diligence and hard work‚ but underneath it’s an unspoken belief that we’re the saviors of those entrusted to us. When we rely on ourselves and our methods‚ our care morphs into self-reliance. We leave behind the Holy Spirit and the deep rest available to us through union with Christ. Ministry burnout is real and a God-ordained opportunity to remember that God alone is infinite.
After Jesus sent the Twelve out to do ministry in his name (Mark 6:7–13)‚ they returned and “told him all that they had done and taught” (v. 30). Jesus said to them‚ “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while” (v. 31). Even Jesus had a habit of withdrawing to a quiet place alone (Matt. 14:13). God created us with limitations‚ and it’s his will that we serve in accordance with them.
Repent of Respectable Sins
Addressing these sins puts a pit in my stomach. They feel gross‚ yet I know I’ve been guilty of them. They come easy. They wear masks and make themselves at home in our hearts. They feel normal and even respectable. But they’re like poison. Each one steals‚ kills‚ and destroys. Each one is rebellion against a good and holy God. Each one reminds me how much I need the grace of Christ.
As those who’ve been entrusted with the gospel‚ let’s repent of our secret sins‚ laying aside every weight as we run the race (Heb. 12:1–2). As those ministering in the name of Christ‚ we should desire for the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts to be acceptable in his sight (Ps. 19:14). May our beliefs and behaviors reflect his glory.
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