All this moral failure among leaders today has the average Christian confused. Is there ever a time when leaders are disqualified? Is restoration always immediate? Are we acting like Pharisees if we demand that leaders sit on the bench for a while to recover from their mistakes and prove their character again? It is time for us to restate some obvious rules.

1. There are definite qualifications for Christian leadership. The apostle Paul made it clear there is a litmus test for leaders in the New Testament church. In 1 Timothy 3:2-7 he says a leader must be (1) above reproach, (2) the husband of one wife, (3) temperate (not an abuser of alcohol or other substances), (4) prudent, (5) respectable, (6) hospitable, (7) able to teach, (8) a good manager of his own family, (9) respected in the community and (10) not a new convert.

Notice that only one of these qualifications ("able to teach") involves anointing. Paul says nothing about a leader's ability to prophesy, heal the sick, see visions, talk to angels, raise funds, sing, shout or make people fall on the floor by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Nor does he mention academic credentials. Character is the key.

2. Those who do not meet these qualifications must step down. If Paul demanded character of his leaders, it stands to reason that those who fail in any of these areas should be removed from office—at least until they regain character quality after a time of rehabilitation. When leaders failed, Paul also recommended that they be strongly rebuked "in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning" (1 Tim. 5:20). Their sin was never to be minimized, excused or swept under a rug.

3. The church will not thrive if discipline of leaders is neglected. Paul sternly warned Timothy about ordaining any church leader prematurely. He wrote: "Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others" (1 Tim. 5:22). In other words, leaders actually incur a strict judgment from God if they ordain a leader who does not meet biblical qualifications. If ordaining unapproved leaders becomes a habit, corruption will take root in the Church and we will eventually face God's corrective judgment.

We can't rewrite the rules. We can't bypass the consequences, no matter how long they may be delayed. I pray that leaders in the independent sector of the church today will stop all this funny business and restore biblical order.