like a fire

There are lots of ideas being discussed right now in the wake of the Haggard scandal. Most of them are about what we should/could do to prevent these moral failures. I have seen rules and guidelines that are some good thoughts about how to respond to this and even prevent it. Still there is something in me that feels like this is just missing the point.

Jesus was faced with the concern for his reputation and the moral boundaries he would need to protect it. Yet he did things that we would blanch at today. The woman at the well would be one of those things. He was alone with a woman and although it was a public place, it was still a risky move for that culture. I’m not sure that leaders can insulate themselves completely from the risk of losing their reputation and I don’t think it is possible to protect anyone from temptation. I do think it is possible to lead a life of integrity that makes these situations less likely.

In the case of Haggard, I don’t find his moral failure as offensive as his hypocrisy. Or, at least, I don’t think his drug use and sexual exploits are nearly as bad as his cover up and denial of his failure. I find it more repugnant that he was doing these things when he was very publicly denouncing them. That is a different type of moral failure of being honest with yourself and others.

I been very close to another situation that was very similar. A leader failed, minimized it, covered it up, and hurt people more from not acknowledging the hurt that was caused than by the initial failure. I was more hurt by the betrayal that followed than by the catalyst of the event.
So what I come back to is that moral boundaries (at least the ones being pointed out - sexuality, drugs, etc.) are not the problem here. The problem seems to be a narcissistic bent in church leadership that goes unchecked by the church system of ordination and governance. I just happen to belong to a denomination that takes ordination very seriously. It is a long process that tests the strongest candidates. Unfortunately, most of the qualifying focuses on knowledge and not emotional health. The system is easily hoodwinked by the intelligent and crafty.

My hope through all these scandals, which seem to be more and more prevalent, is that people will start looking at the systems that allow someone to fall so far before anyone realizes it.