The big political story this week was presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his tax returns, including whether or not he would release them, his tax rate of 15% or less, and some of the offshore tax shelters and loopholes that he used in managing his money.

But this story was blown off the front page by Newt Gingrich's second wife. It is well known that Gingrich left his first wife, pressing her to sign divorce papers while she was in the hospital receiving cancer treatment. In his second marriage, it is well known that he had an affair with his third and current wife, Calista. Now his second wife is alleging that he wanted an "open marriage"--for him to stay married to her while openly keeping Calista as a mistress (read here). While he was having this affair, he was championing family values and leading impeachment efforts against President Clinton.

Today it was reported that celebrity chef Paula Deen is a diabetic, who has hidden her diabetes, while still promoting the eating of many fatty and sugary foods (read story here).

And it was reported that Capt. Francesco Schettino, who was caption of the Costa Concordia, a luxury cruise ship, ran his ship into a reef last Friday, after veering off of his authorized course. There were 4200 passengers and crew on board, and it was the captain's job to conduct the evacuation and rescue operation. But, "a recording of his conversation with the Italian Coast Guard suggests he fled before all passengers were off, and resisted repeated orders to go back, saying the ship was tipping and it was dark. Schettino reportedly said he ended up in a life raft after he tripped and fell into the water." The "captain" has been arrested and is facing charges of manslaughter (read story here). Not exactly going down with the ship.

What can Christians learn from these stories? First, we must avoid hypocrisy and the appearance of hypocrisy. Being a hypocrite is not struggling with some sin. The Greek word from which the word "hypocrite" comes means "actor." Hypocrisy is condemning someone harshly for something, while engaging in the same sin with little or no remorse. Jesus speaks strongly against hypocrisy. We need to seek to make our actions match our words, have the right motivations for our actions, and be careful in passing judgments on others. 

Second, character matters in leadership. As a preacher, Timothy is repeatedly called to watch his life, words, and actions (1 Tim. 4:16; 6:11-21; 2 Tim. 2:22-26).

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 4:11-14).

The only real skill specifically mentioned in elders' qualities is the ability to teach. Everything else is about character.

² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect (1 Tim. 3:2-4).

 ⁶ An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. ⁷ Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁸ Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined (Titus 1:6-8).

The world may choose leaders for various reasons--skills, talents, ability to debate, manage, or defeat an opponent. But in the church, leaders are chosen primarily for our their godly example and way of life and by gifting from God. Whether a preacher, elder, or member, our Christian witness and ability to "lead" will be undercut without this character--and in fact, people should not be chosen as leaders if there are significant character flaws that have not been brought under control. Even in the world, presidents, CEOs, managers, PTA presidents and the like will eventually be undercut in their leadership without necessary character. 

Third, we need to remember that God can forgive and use all people, no matter their past, if they repent and seek to follow him. That is the gospel. That is the incredible good news. It is easy to throw stones at public figures, but who of us would want our lives put under a microscope and have every aspect of our lives inspected? 

Interesting, these are the instructions that Peter gives, saying, "Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Pet. 2:12). May each of us seek to do this and ask for God's grace and mercy for us and others when we fall short.

What lessons do you think that we can learn from these "leaders" and from biblical examples of leadership?