What is that to you? You must follow me ...

Disappointment in leaders is sadly a growing phenomenon in church life, as it is in wider society and in politics too.

Tragic stories of the abuse of office, exploitation of trust, and sexual and financial wrongdoing, have tarnished the testimony of the church in the modern world.

Some in high positions, of whom we had expected so much more, have brought shame upon the church by their lack of probity.

Thankfully, these cases may be numerically rare, but to the victims, their families and their congregations, they represent the deepest sorrow, pain and disillusionment.

But how should we, as faithful Christians – perhaps not directly the victims of such behaviour ourselves – respond to these tragedies?

Early in my Christian life I faced giving up my new-found faith following the moral fall of a much-loved pastor and friend.

He had been responsible for me becoming a believer and had discipled me, leading me, along with others, into the baptism in the Holy Spirit. In many ways I held him up as an example of a dedicated servant of God. He was my hero.

When I heard the news that he had been found guilty of a moral misdemeanour and removed from the pulpit, my world was shattered.

I came very close to throwing in the towel with regards to my call to the ministry, and even to my faith.

… story continues