9 Mistakes Leaders Make

It’s no secret that Christian leaders are struggling these days. Given this reality, I am updating and revising this post first published in 2014. Here are some leadership failures the Bible apparently doesn’t want us to miss:  

1. ADAM: neglecting one’s family responsibilities. This conclusion is admittedly based on silence in Genesis 3, but we can only wonder why Adam did not speak up before Eve ate from the forbidden tree. His failure as a steward of creation and a leader in his marital relationship would bring disaster to creation. My guess is we need not elaborate on the stories of leaders who have lost their homes through neglect.
2. MIRIAM AND AARON: allowing jealousy and rivalry to consume. Regardless of how you understand Miriam’s role in the Bible, she apparently led the way in complaining about Moses (Num. 12). Miriam and Aaron were sure God spoke to them, too, just as He spoke to Moses—so they looked for ways to tear down Moses. Some leaders tear down others the same way today. 
3. MOSES: ignoring the commands of God. The Hebrews had no water, and God told Moses to speak to a rock to bring forth water (Num. 20). Instead, Moses spoke harshly against the rebellious people and did what he had done in the past—he struck the rock. His sins were probably several, but the bottom line is clear: he chose to follow God according to his own terms. Frankly, a leader’s frustration with rebellious followers often leads to his own sin.
4. JOSHUA: not seeking the counsel of the Lord. Joshua 9 tells the tragic story of God’s people being deceived by the Gibeonites. Not only did the Hebrews succumb to the deception, but they also did so without having first prayed to seek God’s insight and direction (9:14). That’s always a risk for leaders who let down their guard. How many times do leaders act first and then pray second?
5. DAVID: relying only on training and experience. Study the story of David as a shepherd boy, and you find a youth thoroughly trusting God to fight his battles for him (1 Sam. 17).  Study David as king, though, and you discover a warrior seeking to determine the strength of his armed forces (1 Chron. 21). That happens sometimes—the young man who trusts God comes to trust in self when he has gained some leadership training and experience.
6. ELIJAH: allowing discouragement and loneliness to reign. God had provided for him miraculously, raised the dead through him, and used him to defeat hundreds of false prophets. Nevertheless, Elijah fled under threat of attack from Jezebel and determined in grief that he alone was faithful to God (1 Kgs. 19). We let it happen, too: present-tense despair overwhelms us even when we can speak of God’s past-tense care.  
7. JAMES AND JOHN: wanting the best seats in the kingdom. Likely thinking wrongly that Jesus was going to establish an earthly kingdom, the brothers sought seats of honor in Jesus’ kingdom (Mark 10:37). Little did they realize that kingdom living for them would mean servanthood and sacrifice rather than position and prestige. Too many leaders make the same mistake today as they seek honor without humility, titles without trial, and power without prayer.
8. SIMON PETER: speaking for both God and the devil. It was Peter who best stated who Jesus was: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” (Matt. 16:16). In this case, the apostle spoke the words God had given him. It was also Peter, though, who rebuked Jesus when He spoke of His coming death in Jerusalem. Jesus strongly condemned him in turn for speaking the words of Satan this time (Matt. 16:23). Leaders at times speak both God’s word and the devil’s words—sometimes in the same conversation.
9. THE APOSTLES: being overconfident. Simon Peter is best known for his promise of faithfulness to Jesus when He spoke of his impending death, but don’t miss the last part of Mark 14:31: “And theyall [the disciples] said the same thing” (emphasis added). They ALL said they would die with Him, but ALL fled not long thereafter (Mark 14:50). None of the apostles kept his word when the danger level rose. Overconfidence led to trouble.

Perhaps that is where this blog should land. I know no leader who says up front, “It’s likely I’ll commit the same sins I see leaders in the scripture commit.” I do know several leaders, however, who would say, “I never thought it would happen to me – but it did.”

Help all of us avoid these dangers. What steps have you taken to keep from making these same mistakes?