Fruitfulness, or a Facade?

 

There are unbelievers pastoring our churches.

Some of you are thinking “of course!” And others feel uneasy that I even wrote that.

Let me explain.

I’m not referring to those crazy churches “over there”– the ones whose doctrine and theology we strongly disagree with.

I’m talking about the ones that we would consider biblical. Solid teaching. Ones we would recommend. Even these may have unbelievers at the helm. After all, Peter said that there will be false teachers among you (2 Pet. 2:1). 

Not in the churches or groups we distrust. Among us.

Scripture reminds us that unbelievers exist not only outside the church, but at times within, even amongst its leaders. This became clearer to me as I began to notice how easily we assume belief in Christ based on words, gifting, or position, rather than fruit. Yet Scripture repeatedly warns against that. Peter says false teachers will exploit others “with false words” (2 Peter 2:3). Words alone are not proof of faith.

The Pharisees taught the Scriptures, perhaps even faithfully according to our standards! But they refused to come to Jesus (Mt 23:13). They knew the right words, but their fruit revealed a deeper issue (Mt 23:13-17).

Jesus said there would be false prophets in sheep’s clothing, implying that many would not see past their facade (Mt. 7:15). Just like our struggle to determine Ai from what's real, sometimes we think we know what's true, but are simply viewing a facade. It takes time to see what is true.

Scripture speaks of Judases amid disciples. Of shepherds who feed themselves (Jude 1:12). Of weeds alongside the wheat until the final harvest (Mt. 13:24-30). 

Doctrine matters. But let’s stop making doctrine the litmus test and instead make it fruitfulness. Let’s not elevate leaders solely on charisma, gifting, or potential, but Christlikeness proven over time. Let’s stop backing leaders accused of wrongdoing simply because we think they “could never do that”, and be willing to hold people accountable no matter how hard. Is it really untrue, or was what we knew a facade?

Eventually, we will know them by their fruit (Mt. 12:33). Fruit that leads to eternal life, or death (Rom. 6:20-22).

Fruitfulness isn’t numbers or growth. It’s abiding in Christ that produces the fruit of the Spirit that is revealed in how someone treats others. Position does not equal fruitfulness; the impact of their influence reveals it. Is it bearing fruit, or is it a facade?

“No system that carries oppression, silencing, dehumanizing, violence, abuse, and corruption within is healthy, no matter how godly the goals of that system may be. Tolerance of such things, out of fear, disbelief, or self-deception, will not protect the system from the disease that will kill it if left untreated.” Diane Langberg, Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church

Let’s be discerning, friends. There may be more unbelievers leading our churches and Christian ministries than we are willing to admit.

And that is a sobering thought. 

 “…try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Eph. 5:10-11