1 Cor 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
Not all leaders deserve a following. There are those who usurp a position of leadership but have disqualified themselves by hypocrisy. They may be very dynamic, effective and have a winsome persona, but their lust for power, control, money and/or sex renders them unfit for ministry and leadership. Yes, God forgives, but once one of these birds develops a track record for untrustworthiness, they need to get out of the ministry and get help!
Pastors who exhibit a clear calling from God and who follow the Lord closely are worthy of ministerial authority. For every jaybird who sullies the ministry with their ungodliness, there are hundreds of faithful ministers of the gospel who merit a listenership.
Paul gives us the key. He encourages the Corinthian believers to follow him as he follows Christ. This is not saying that mistakes aren't made. Decisions go awry, judgment calls are missed, tempers flare. This is endemic to the human condition. But the humble servant of God is given to reconciliation and yearns for righteousness.
Find a local church which stays true to the Word of God and whose pastor is a gifted and godly individual who concerns himself with God, ministry, family and soul-winning. Then follow them only as they follow Christ.
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