Church leaders are not perfect people. Despite aiming to walk in step with the Spirit, they make mistakes. They treat others poorly, both intentionally and unintentionally. They justify their pride and their selfishness. They do not live up to their own standards.
The mistakes leaders make—willful or accidental—can haunt them or make them feel like they are not worthy of forgiveness. They can beat themselves up over their sins and end up spiraling deeper down the hole of self-sabotage.
The wonderful spiritual reality, however, is that we have already been forgiven by God. With the power of God’s forgiveness, we can forgive ourselves. Choosing forgiveness is one of the most important things church leaders can do for their spiritual well-being.
Paul encouraged the church in Corinth, saying,
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV).
The ability to forgive yourself is hard work. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes patience. It takes prayer.
On the other side of this hard work, however, is freedom.
“Lord, our church leaders will make mistakes and fall short of who you call them to be. We pray that their failures won’t be their undoing. Rather, we pray that You will help our leaders see that acknowledging and repenting of their sins are necessary steps on the path toward freedom and growth. Give them the boldness to forgive themselves as You have already forgiven them.”
