10-Step Restoring Leaders Process—a Biblical Model

PRAY WITH US about 10 step restoring leaders. Father God, You love all Your children, even the fallen ones. For You can both heal those who are broken by others’ sin, and pick up the fallen. Yet You first turn the fallen from sinful ways that have caused estrangement from You and others. And You care enough for those they hurt to protect them from further harm. So we ask for fallen leaders, that You give them a grace period to know You better first.

If they don’t respond to church discipline, the church must treat them as unbelievers till they do. But You treat them as lost sheep and call them back to You. If they turn out to be wolves, You know how to change them. But if they respond well to Your appeals, help them to pass every test that You give them. And then show enough proof to others to renew their confidence. Give us all patience in the process to make that new work complete. Then they can work with the rest of the body as new people to do new works with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

PRAYER ALERT: 10-Step Restoring Leaders Process—a Biblical Model

Last month I shared how 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 provides tests on how much a fallen leader has repented. Now I’d like to suggest a 10-step biblical model for restoring fallen leaders. Galatians 6:1 tells us: “if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” Although not comprehensive, I think this model does hit the basics from beginning to end. But if I missed something essential, let me know. (Please understand that “his” may refer to male or female.)

1 Be convicted, confess, and accept the punishment that was given by his church/ministry. 2 Corinthians 2:4-8 gives an example of one who sinned and accepted punishment. At that point the process should aim at forgiveness and reaffirmation—of love, not yet of ministry.

2 Agree to a restoration team. It should have one accountability point person, who has more in-depth interaction with the fallen leader. Then he can communicate the basics of that interaction to the team. “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out” (Prov. 20:5).

3 Tell the whole truth about what happened. Because if he omits something important, he should expect to have to start the process all over again. “For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth” (2 Cor 13:8; see also Jn. 7:18)…

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