Christians Who Failed

Every Christian screws up. None of them are perfect, even if some think they are. But when a big-name Christian falls, it really hurts the church. Christians look bad, look like hypocrites, and their message loses its power. It causes scandal, which some drink up like fine wine. Let us look at a few modern brothers who really messed it up.

Tim Lambesis

 

 

This guy was the vocalist to metal band As I Lay Dying. These guys rocked, man. Ever heard "Nothing Left"? Go listen to it now. They were a Christian band at one point and did pretty well for themselves. But Tim fell away from the faith, got into bodybuilding and steroids, listened to godless philosophy, had an affair, and finally tried to hire a guy to murder his wife. Fortunately it didn't happen, as the killer-for-hire was an undercover officer.

 

Tim had it goin' on until he got self-absorbed and had the bright idea to off his estranged wife. Now he's in prison and probably won't ever see his three adopted children again. His bandmates went on to form another band, Wovenwar. Hopefully Tim is using his time now to repent and return to his Lord.

Ted Haggard

 

 

Pastor of New Life Church in Colorado, Ted looked like a fine man with a fine family and fine ministry. Big church, big pay, big-selling books, big speaker. He had great ideas for ministry, too. The typical "he's got it all going on" thing. He did indeed have it all going on, with a guy named Mike Jones in a hotel room! Oops! Sorry, Gayle, I just couldn't keep my hands off that hairy man. This while preaching against gay marriage.

 

 



 

Ted lost his church, but not his wife. Miraculously, she stayed. She took her vow seriously. They  started a new church in their barn, and have since moved to a bigger, nicer smelling place. Ted said he has repented, but only God knows for sure. I hope so.

 

 

Bob Coy

 

 

Pastor of mega-mega church Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, Bob really brought 'em in. Scores of people got saved there every week. A huge campus was built. Radio ministry. T.V. show. Popularity.  And all the while cheating on his wife. It's not widely known just how long he was having affairs, but it sounds like years.

 

And he was teaching the Bible! Effectively! At multiple show times! I mean services. How did he do it? You would think he would feel guilty and not be able to pastor effectively, but such was not the case. He did seem full of himself though, having gone there myself for a few years. He would dialogue with himself, which was pretty entertaining. Hence the big crowds. (I'm not sure church and entertainment are supposed to go together. . .)
I don't know what's going on with Bob right now. I hear he is living apart from his wife and getting some counseling. All hush-hush, I guess. Nothing wrong with privacy.

All three of these men had the same problem: They took their eyes off their Lord. They focused on themselves, and fell hard. It can happen to anyone. You. Me. The pastor. The president. Don't judge too harshly; you could be next. Sin strikes anytime it can. But thankfully the price has been paid:

God is in the business of redemption. That's what He does. He can heal anybody, He can save anybody. And he can restore a penitent man.
He loves to do that.