FAQ 002
CAN I REMAIN SUBMITTED TO A PASTOR WHO CONTINUES TO LIVE IN SIN?
Biblical Submission, Accountability and Leadership Integrity
Biblical submission to spiritual leadership is never intended to replace our obedience to Christ. Pastors and elders are called to lead by example, remain accountable to Scripture and demonstrate lives worthy of imitation. When serious, ongoing and unrepentant sin becomes evident in a leader’s life, believers must respond with truth, wisdom, proper process and loyalty to Christ above personalities.
1. Introduction
Submission to spiritual leadership is a biblical principle. Scripture teaches believers to recognise, honour and cooperate with those who faithfully labour among them and watch over their spiritual wellbeing.
However, an important question arises when someone discovers that the pastor or spiritual leader to whom he or she is submitted continues knowingly in sinful behaviour: Must I remain submitted to that pastor?
The question becomes even more serious when the sin is not an isolated failure followed by repentance, but an ongoing pattern that the leader refuses to address.
Two errors must be avoided. The first says that because all pastors are human, their conduct does not matter and believers must remain submitted regardless of what they do. The second says that if a pastor commits any sin, believers should immediately reject him and leave. Neither position represents the full counsel of Scripture.
All believers, including pastors, remain capable of sin and need grace, correction and restoration. At the same time, Scripture places particularly serious character requirements upon those entrusted with oversight of God’s people.
The biblical question is therefore not simply, “Has the pastor ever sinned?” The more important question is, “Is this leader walking in repentance and accountability, or is he knowingly continuing in serious sin while attempting to remain in spiritual authority?”
| QUESTION |
| Is it possible to remain submitted to a pastor when one discovers that in some areas of his life such a pastor continues to live in sin? |
| SHORT ANSWER |
| Biblical submission to a pastor is not unconditional obedience to a human being. Every pastor remains under the authority of Jesus Christ and must himself be submitted to Scripture, the Holy Spirit and appropriate accountability. If a pastor falls into sin but acknowledges it, repents, submits to correction and walks through genuine restoration, believers should respond with grace, prayer and appropriate support. However, where a pastor knowingly persists in serious sin, refuses correction, conceals wrongdoing, manipulates people or rejects biblical accountability, a believer is not required to continue submitting to that leader as though nothing is wrong. Scripture commands us to honour leadership, but it never commands us to participate in sin, conceal unrighteousness or obey a leader contrary to God. Our highest submission is always to Jesus Christ. |
2. Christ Is the Supreme Head of the Church
Before discussing submission to pastors, we must establish the highest authority governing the Church. Jesus Christ is the Head.
Colossians 1:18 (BSB)
18 And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence.
No pastor, apostle, spiritual father or church organisation replaces Christ. Human leaders are stewards operating under His authority. Biblical submission to leadership can therefore never require someone to disobey the Head of the Church. When the instructions, lifestyle or conduct of a spiritual leader fundamentally contradict Christ and Scripture, our first loyalty remains with Christ.
3. Submission to Spiritual Leadership Is Biblical
We should not react against unhealthy leadership by rejecting spiritual leadership altogether. Scripture clearly recognises leadership and accountability within the Body of Christ.
Hebrews 13:17 (BSB)
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.
Notice the phrase “as those who must give an account.” Leaders themselves are accountable. Submission is therefore not an isolated privilege given to leaders; it exists within a structure in which leaders answer to God for how they lead. Spiritual authority is stewardship, not ownership.
4. Leaders Are Called to Lead by Example
1 Peter 5:2-3 (BSB)
2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness;
3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
Peter identifies two important principles: a pastor must not lord it over God’s people, and he must become an example. The church and the sheep belong to God; the pastor is entrusted with their care.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (BSB)
1 You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
Paul did not ask people to imitate him regardless of what he did. His example was tied to his imitation of Christ. We follow spiritual leaders as they themselves follow Christ.
5. Every Pastor Will Have Weaknesses
We must guard against unrealistic expectations. A pastor is not sinlessly perfect. Pastors remain human beings undergoing sanctification just like other believers.
1 John 1:8-9 (BSB)
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The important distinction is not between a leader who has never sinned and one who has sinned. The distinction is between a leader who sins and repents, and a leader who sins and deliberately continues in it. A leader may stumble, acknowledge his wrong, repent, receive correction and experience restoration. That is very different from deliberately maintaining a lifestyle of sin while demanding continued submission from God’s people.
6. There Is a Difference Between Falling into Sin and Living in Sin
A believer may fall into temptation and immediately experience conviction and repentance. That failure must be addressed, but the posture of the heart remains important. On the other hand, someone may knowingly continue practising what Scripture identifies as sin while refusing repentance.
Galatians 6:1 (BSB)
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
The objective is clearly stated: restore him. When a pastor fails, the first objective should therefore not automatically be destruction, humiliation or public condemnation. It should be restoration. However, restoration requires a willingness to be restored.
- denial
- deliberate concealment
- refusal of correction
- manipulation
- continued deception
- justification of sinful conduct
- ongoing rebellion against biblical accountability
7. Pastors Are Held to Biblical Character Standards
1 Timothy 3:2-3 (BSB)
2 An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.
Paul’s emphasis is not merely gifting. It is character. A person can be highly gifted, a powerful preacher, charismatic, prophetic, intelligent, administratively strong or popular and still have serious deficiencies of character. Gift does not cancel character. Anointing does not make accountability unnecessary. Ministry success does not excuse persistent sin.
8. “Above Reproach” Does Not Mean Sinless Perfection
When Scripture says that an overseer must be above reproach, it does not mean that the person has never made a mistake. Otherwise nobody could qualify. It means that the leader’s life should not contain an established, credible pattern of conduct that contradicts the character required of spiritual leadership.
- sexual immorality
- dishonesty
- financial corruption
- drunkenness or addiction
- violence or abusive behaviour
- manipulation
- greed or exploitation
- persistent deceit
- uncontrolled anger
- other serious patterns of ungodly conduct
When these behaviours become persistent and unrepentant, the matter cannot simply be dismissed by saying, “Do not touch God’s anointed.” No leader is above Scripture.
9. An Accusation Against a Leader Must Be Handled Carefully
1 Timothy 5:19 (BSB)
19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Scripture also protects leaders from careless accusation. A rumour is not automatically evidence. Suspicion is not proof. Personal dislike is not proof. Social media allegations are not automatically proof. A disagreement over leadership style is not automatically sin. The facts should be established responsibly through discernment, verification and proper process.
10. Persistent Sin in Leadership Must Be Addressed
1 Timothy 5:20 (BSB)
20 But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear.
Paul does not say to ignore sin because the person is an elder, nor to protect the reputation of the ministry at all costs. Persistent sin must be addressed. New Testament spiritual leadership includes accountability. A pastor cannot demand accountability from others while refusing accountability himself.
11. Submission Is Not Blind Obedience
One of the most damaging distortions of biblical submission occurs when believers are taught that submission means obeying a leader regardless of whether his instruction agrees with Scripture.
Acts 5:29 (BSB)
29 But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.”
A pastor cannot legitimately instruct someone to lie, conceal abuse, participate in financial dishonesty, commit sexual immorality, deceive authorities, violate Scripture, protect criminal behaviour, manipulate another person or compromise conscience in something clearly contrary to God’s Word. Our submission to Christ is higher than our submission to any earthly leader.
12. Honour Does Not Mean Agreement With Sin
A believer may maintain an honourable attitude toward a leader while refusing participation in wrongdoing. Honour does not mean pretending that sin is righteousness, keeping silent when people are being harmed, or protecting wrongdoing.
Honour means that even difficult matters are handled with truth, dignity, humility, fairness, proper process, absence of malicious gossip and a genuine desire for redemption. We do not need to dishonour someone in order to disagree with them, and we do not need to submit to sin in order to demonstrate honour.
13. The First Response Should Normally Be Restoration
Where circumstances allow, concerns should first be addressed redemptively. The believer should not rush immediately to gossip, social media or public accusation. The objective should initially be clarity: questions may need to be asked, facts established and the leader given an opportunity to explain.
James 5:19-20 (BSB)
19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,
20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
If wrongdoing is established, repentance and correction should be pursued. Restoration should remain our desire.
14. What Does Genuine Repentance Look Like?
Repentance is more than saying, “I am sorry.” Biblical repentance involves turning. Where a pastor has been confronted concerning serious sin, some indications of genuine repentance may include:
- acknowledging what has happened
- accepting responsibility
- refusing to blame others
- ending the sinful behaviour
- submitting to appropriate accountability
- making restitution where necessary
- seeking reconciliation where possible
- accepting appropriate consequences
- receiving counselling or pastoral care where needed
- stepping aside from leadership temporarily where appropriate
- allowing time for the fruit of repentance to become evident
The goal must not simply be restoring the person to the pulpit. The first concern should be restoring the person to spiritual health.
15. Forgiveness Does Not Automatically Mean Immediate Restoration to Leadership
A person can be forgiven before he is ready to resume leadership. Forgiveness and qualification for leadership are related but different matters. Depending upon the nature of the misconduct, restoration to leadership may require time, healing, accountability, rebuilding trust, evidence of changed behaviour and careful evaluation by mature leaders.
In some circumstances, a person may be restored fully to fellowship while never again being suitable for the same leadership responsibility. The restoration of the person is more important than the restoration of the position.
16. What If the Pastor Refuses Correction?
The original question becomes particularly serious when a pastor continues knowingly in sin, refuses to repent, rejects accountability, attacks those who question him, uses Scripture to silence concerns, manipulates people into protecting him, threatens people who leave, or insists that submission requires accepting his conduct.
In such circumstances, remaining under that leadership may no longer represent biblical submission. The believer may need to withdraw from that spiritual environment. This should preferably happen peacefully and without unnecessary hostility. Leaving unhealthy leadership does not necessarily mean rebelling against God. Sometimes leaving becomes part of obeying God.
17. Remaining Under Leadership Must Never Require Participation in Darkness
Ephesians 5:11 (BSB)
11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Submission cannot require participation in darkness. If remaining within a leadership structure requires someone continually to conceal wrongdoing, defend what Scripture condemns, lie for the leader, overlook abuse, compromise conscience or become an accomplice to sinful behaviour, the relationship has moved beyond biblical submission.
18. What About “Touch Not My Anointed”?
A phrase frequently used when leaders are questioned is, “Touch not God’s anointed.” This language cannot legitimately be used to teach that Christian leaders are immune from correction.
Galatians 2:11 (BSB)
11 When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.
Peter was an apostle, yet Paul confronted him. This was not rebellion; it was accountability. No biblical leader should fear righteous accountability.
19. Spiritual Fathers and Pastors Must Also Be Accountable
A healthy spiritual father does not merely ask, “Who is submitted to me?” He must also be able to answer, “To whom am I accountable?” Biblical leaders should not function as isolated authorities.
Healthy leadership welcomes relationships with mature believers who can ask difficult questions, bring correction, examine doctrine, challenge unhealthy behaviour, protect the congregation and help restore the leader when necessary. A leader who demands submission but refuses accountability creates an unhealthy imbalance of authority.
20. When Should a Believer Consider Leaving?
Leaving a congregation should not normally be an impulsive reaction to disappointment. However, departure may become appropriate where there is an established pattern such as:
- serious unrepentant sin in leadership
- deliberate doctrinal deception
- spiritual manipulation or coercive control
- abuse that is tolerated or concealed
- financial dishonesty
- persistent sexual immorality
- refusal to accept legitimate accountability
- retaliation against people who raise truthful concerns
- leadership that consistently contradicts Scripture
- an environment where remaining requires compromising obedience to Christ
Leaving should be done with prayer, wisdom and as much peace as circumstances allow.
21. Do Not Leave Because of Every Offence
Believers should not constantly change churches whenever they receive correction, are offended, dislike a leadership decision, do not get their personal preference, are not given a position, are disappointed by someone or are challenged to mature.
Not every disagreement is abuse. Not every correction is control. Not every leadership decision is sin. Healthy submission includes being teachable. The believer should therefore examine his own heart as carefully as he examines the pastor’s.
22. The Believer Must Guard Against Gossip and Division
Even where legitimate concerns exist, Christians must guard their speech. The objective should not be to destroy the leader’s reputation. Facts should be shared only where appropriate and necessary for accountability, protection or proper process.
There is a significant difference between reporting serious wrongdoing responsibly and spreading damaging information indiscriminately. Biblical truth must always operate together with love.
23. Criminal Behaviour or Abuse Must Not Be Hidden
There are circumstances where the matter extends beyond internal church discipline. If credible allegations involve sexual abuse, abuse of children, assault, theft, fraud, domestic violence, exploitation or other potentially criminal behaviour, protecting the vulnerable takes priority over protecting the reputation of a leader or ministry.
Such matters may require reporting to the appropriate civil authorities in accordance with applicable law. Church accountability must never become a substitute for legitimate legal processes. Forgiveness does not require concealing criminal conduct.
24. How Should I Respond Personally?
If you discover serious sin in the life of the pastor to whom you are submitted, consider the following biblical process:
- Check your own heart. Ask whether your response is driven by truth, offence, jealousy, misunderstanding, personal conflict or genuine concern for righteousness.
- Establish the facts. Do not make conclusions from rumours. Be certain that what you believe to be true has reasonable evidence.
- Distinguish weakness from persistent sin. Ask whether this represents an isolated failure, a weakness the pastor is actively addressing, or a deliberate ongoing lifestyle.
- Pursue appropriate conversation. Where safe and appropriate, concerns should be addressed through mature biblical process.
- Involve appropriate accountability. Serious allegations against an elder should not remain an informal private argument. Mature elders, recognised oversight or other appropriate structures may need to become involved.
- Look for repentance. Where genuine repentance occurs, pursue restoration.
- Refuse participation in sin. Never obey an instruction requiring you to violate Scripture.
- Withdraw if necessary. If serious unrepentant sin continues and biblical accountability is rejected, you may need to remove yourself from that leadership relationship.
- Leave without becoming bitter. Forgive, pray, remain truthful, find healthy fellowship and continue following Christ.
25. Submission Is Ultimately Submission to Christ
The purpose of spiritual authority is to help believers become more submitted to Christ. If spiritual leadership instead makes believers increasingly dependent upon the personality, approval or control of a human leader, something has gone wrong.
Healthy leaders continually direct people toward Jesus. They desire believers to know Christ, understand Scripture, hear the Holy Spirit, develop discernment, mature in character, become responsible, fulfil their calling and reproduce the life of Christ in others.
The ultimate evidence of healthy spiritual leadership is not how dependent people become upon the leader. It is how mature they become in Christ.
26. Direct Answer to the Question
Can I remain submitted to a pastor when I discover that he continues to live in sin?
YES – where there has been failure but genuine repentance is taking place.
If the pastor acknowledges the sin, turns from it, accepts correction, submits to accountability and demonstrates genuine fruit of repentance, there is room for grace, restoration and continued relationship, although temporary changes in leadership responsibility may still be necessary.
NO – not in the sense of unquestioning spiritual submission where serious unrepentant sin continues.
If a pastor deliberately remains in serious sin, rejects biblical correction and uses his authority to demand continued submission, the believer is not required to submit to that behaviour. Our highest allegiance belongs to Christ.
HOWEVER – do not respond carelessly.
- establish the truth
- avoid gossip
- seek wise counsel
- respect proper biblical process
- pursue restoration where possible
- guard your own heart from bitterness
27. 777th Precinct Ministries – Position Statement
| POSITION STATEMENT |
| 777th Precinct Ministries believes that biblical submission to spiritual leadership is relational, Christ-centred and governed by Scripture. Pastors, elders and spiritual fathers are stewards under the authority of Jesus Christ and are therefore themselves accountable to God, Scripture and appropriate mature leadership.
We reject both rebellion against legitimate godly authority and blind submission to human leadership. No spiritual leader has biblical authority to require a believer to participate in sin, conceal wrongdoing, violate conscience or obey instructions contrary to Scripture. Where leaders fall into sin and demonstrate genuine repentance, the Church should pursue grace, healing and restoration. Where serious sin becomes persistent and unrepentant, Scripture requires accountability and correction. A believer may, after appropriate biblical process, withdraw from leadership that persistently rejects Christ’s standards while still guarding against bitterness, slander and unnecessary division. The ultimate purpose of spiritual leadership is to lead believers into maturity and deeper submission to Jesus Christ – not permanent dependence upon a human leader. |
28. Conclusion
Spiritual submission is a beautiful biblical principle when it functions according to God’s design. It creates order, provides protection, encourages accountability and allows mature leaders to nurture others into spiritual maturity.
But submission becomes distorted when it is separated from truth and accountability. A pastor is not above Scripture. A spiritual father is not above correction. An apostle is not above accountability. Every leader remains a servant under the authority of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, when a pastor falls, we should seek restoration. When he repents, we should extend grace. When he submits to correction, we should encourage him. But when serious sin continues deliberately and accountability is rejected, believers must remain loyal first to Christ.
Biblical submission never asks us to choose a leader over Jesus.
We honour leaders. We pray for leaders. We support godly leaders. We forgive leaders when they fail. But ultimately, we follow them as they follow Christ.
Grace to you.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
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