Why are there so many evangelical Christian scandals? Why are so many evangelical leaders caught in scandal?

TL;DR:

Headlines make scandals look rampant, but most evangelical leaders serve faithfully and quietly. Failures usually result from pride, false teaching, lack of accountability, burnout, or spiritual attacks, not from the norm of godly leadership.

what does the bible say?

Scandals among evangelical leaders seem overwhelming because news coverage magnifies moral collapse, creating the impression that corruption is everywhere. Yet Scripture reminds us that God continues to raise many pastors and teachers who quietly serve with integrity and humility (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Peter 5:2-3). Most will never appear in the news precisely because they live above reproach and shepherd their people faithfully.

Even so, the Bible explains why some leaders fall. First, Christendom has its share of false teachers who are motivated by greed or self-promotion rather than love for Christ (Matthew 7:15; Acts 20:29-30). Also, pride leads even true teachers astray—when leaders forget to depend on God, they become vulnerable to temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12), similar to the attitude David had when he took an unauthorized census (2 Samuel 24). Besides pride, lack of accountability allows sin to grow unchecked (3 John 9-10), which is the danger Paul guarded against when handling funds (2 Corinthians 8:18-21). Proper understanding of God’s Word is also key; not being grounded in the truth leads to moral compromise (1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Finally, spiritual warfare is real and Satan is actively seeking to destroy those at the top (Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8).

from the old testament

Some of the same reasons leaders fall today are seen in the leaders of the Old Testament. Pride is a major deterrent to living as God wants us to (Proverbs 16:18). Saul’s pride in offering an unauthorized sacrifice (1 Samuel 8-14) and David’s pride in taking an unauthorized census (2 Samuel 24) had searing repercussions.
Solomon’s failure to follow God’s law to not marry foreign wives led to him worshiping false gods in his later years (1 Kings 11:1-13).

from the new testament

False teachers have always infiltrated the church, disguising themselves as shepherds but serving out of self-interest. Jesus warned of “wolves in sheep’s clothing” who exploit others for gain (Matthew 7:15), and Paul foresaw “savage wolves” entering the flock (Acts 20:29-30). Such individuals twist Scripture for personal gain or influence, trading the gospel for their own power.
Pride is another cause of scandal. Paul cautioned that an overseer “must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6). When leaders forget their dependence on grace, they begin to trust in their own strength, leaving sin unconfessed and temptation unchecked. Eventually, such carelessness catches up with them.
Lack of accountability also destroys integrity. Diotrephes, in 3 John, loved power and refused correction, even from the Apostle John, showing how an isolated leader can breed arrogance (3 John 9-10). Paul, by contrast, welcomed accountability. For example, when traveling with funds, he took steps to ensure transparency and avoid reproach (2 Corinthians 8:18-21). When a leader is so trusted that people stop checking up on him, that’s a bubble of his life into which sin can start to creep.
A lack of self-examination regarding the truth can begin to erode character. Paul told Timothy to “keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16), because neglecting spiritual health often precedes moral failure.
Finally, the New Testament reminds believers that spiritual warfare is real. The devil seeks to discredit the gospel, and it makes sense that he would target those with the most visible ministry to cause the most damage (Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8). Leaders are not immune from attack but are often targeted more fiercely. Those attacks, coupled with the leader’s heart issues, are a formula for failure.
Scandals are horrific. They put Christ in a bad light and cast suspicion on Christians. However, even in the face of scandal, Christ continues to build His church (Matthew 16:18). Regardless of one leader’s failure, Satan will not be able to stop the church from growing.

implications for today

When yet another Christian leader falls, it can leave you discouraged and questioning whether anyone can be trusted. Because of how the media sensationalizes everything, it’s easy to think the church is filled with hypocrisy. But those who fall are the exception, not the rule. God continues to raise countless pastors and servants who love Him deeply, teach His Word faithfully, and care for people in ways that often go unnoticed. Their quiet obedience is the unseen foundation of the church’s witness in the world.

Our confidence, however, is never meant to rest on any human leader. Even the most gifted people are still sinners in need of grace. When leaders fall, it reminds us where our hope truly belongs—in Jesus Christ, the only Shepherd who never fails His flock. He never misuses His authority, never fails us, and never wavers in love. The faithfulness of Christ stands firm when every other example falters, and His grace remains enough to sustain His church through every season.

When a scandal happens, let it move you to prayer rather than despair. Pray for the fallen leader to find repentance and humility—or for true salvation if they never knew Christ. Pray for those in the immediate wake who were personally hurt. Also, pray for the many faithful pastors still laboring quietly. Indeed, pray for your pastor, who is currently faithful, so that he may remain so. The church belongs to God, and He is still good, still sovereign, and still at work purifying His people for His glory.

understand

Most evangelical leaders serve faithfully and quietly, though scandals get the spotlight.
Scandals usually stem from pride, false teaching, lack of accountability, burnout, or spiritual attacks.
True hope rests in Christ, the unfailing Shepherd, not in human leaders.

reflect

How do you respond when a Christian leader you respect fails?
How can you examine your own heart to guard against pride, burnout, or moral compromise?
How are you actively praying for the spiritual health and accountability of the leaders in your life?

engage

What kind of accountability can help prevent leaders from falling into sin?
What role does media coverage play in shaping our perception of the church, and how should we respond biblically?
How can we support and encourage faithful leaders who serve quietly and are rarely recognized?