Cancel Culture

“Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.” (1 Timothy 5:19-21)

We live in a cancel culture. Everyone is so quick to accuse. So quick to condemn. It seems like every day some well-known person is humiliated and loses their position and reputation. Would you agree?

What happens when cancel culture comes after an elder or pastor in a Christian church? It’s a real question, and the Bible gives a balanced, two-part answer.

First, an accusation is not to be accepted “unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.” That guideline comes from the Old Testament (see Deuteronomy 19:15). You know how easily people make unfounded charges. Gossip spreads like fire. No church leader is to be “cancelled” by gossip or hearsay without two or three witnesses. God wants to protect the reputation of his servants.

Yet, “those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone.” If a church leader is proven guilty, that sin must be dealt with, not ignored or excused. As painful as it might be, that elder is to be publicly reproved for his public sin, with a clear purpose: “So that others may take warning.” Everyone—from pastor to people—needs to respect God and his Word.

Of course, these are very sensitive matters. We pray that we never have to deal with them in our congregation. Yet, this is serious. Sin must be addressed. Do you see the Bible’s balanced approach?

This reminds all of us how much we need Jesus’ grace and forgiveness. Who of us has lived such a perfect life that no one could accuse us? Every one of us has baggage from our sinful past that condemns us. This is why the heart of Christianity is to daily repent and trust in Jesus’ forgiveness.

Yet, when a public minister of the gospel sins in a public way, something must be done for the good of that person’s soul and for the good of God’s church. Unlike the cancel culture around us, let accusations in the Christian Church be handled without partiality or favoritism and with a lot of grace.

Dear Lord God, we live in a world filled with accusations. When those accusations come against a leader of your church, give your people wisdom and courage to faithfully act without showing favoritism. Amen.

Pastor Nathan