Humble Christianity Can Admit When You Screw Up
Posted by Todd Rhoades in Leadership on Feb 6th, 2012 | 9 commentsMuch has been made of Baseball star Josh Hamilton’s ‘falling off the wagon’ last week.
Hamilton, who has struggled with drug and alcohol addictions, had a week moment last week when he had some drinks at a Texas bar.
To his credit, Hamilton handled things very nicely (in my opinion). Hamilton has the eyes of the world on him and his Christian faith.
Without prompting (and with no script), Hamilton called a press conference to deal with the issue.
Here’s part of what he said:
After the statement, Hamilton kept his commitment to speak with a church group, at which time, he fessed up some more.
Editorial: I think many more people would have a better thinking about Christians is we just fess up when we screw up.
But that’s not normally what happens. By the time our sin becomes public, we’re so entrenched in it, that we deny wrongdoing. Example: Ted Haggard.
As a church leader, how important is it to admit when you were wrong… when you botched something… when you screwed up.
Obviously, moral failure is a little different animal… but in the day-to-day leadership of your church… with your leaders, your elders, your congregation… how important is it that you’re transparent and honest and humbly admit when you got something wrong.
To me, it’s a sign of a real leader AND a humble Christ-follower.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
9 Responses to “ “Humble Christianity Can Admit When You Screw Up”
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Wow… good on him for being willing to go there in public.
It is a fact: Knowing Jesus does not eliminate our struggle but HE sure does give us grace in our sin.
I completely agree, Todd. I think one of the distinguishing marks of a Christian is not that we never sin again, but that the Holy Spirit moves us to confess and repent when we do sin. In our weakness (if we’ll be broken before others), people are able to see God’s strength.
THAT is grace…
Anyone will eventually repent when they get caught. What if Ted Haggard had never been snitched on? He would still be at it.
I agree Todd…to admit you got it wrong is humble, honest and transparent. However the motivation behind the admission is at the heart of the issue. Does a church leader admit they got it wrong because some leadership guru said that is what they are to do to be better leaders or does the leader admit they got it wrong simply because they love Jesus and love other people? I have often wondered…
Once broke my hand hitting a kitchen cabinet – too much family, for too long during Christmas. With a cast on my hand and lots a splainin’ to do, God challenged me to come clean with our church. Wasn’t easy, but I did it. Afterwards, had several guys who said they were glad I shared because now they had a pastor they could relate to. Didn’t make it right, still doesn’t, but God showed me that our people could handle it and they could forgive and pray for me.
Amen
across the board
Thank you for shining light on this
An amazing article, thanks for the writing.