What If They Stumble?

I get a bit anxious when I notice a Christian leader, artist, or pastor trending on social media. While I would love to believe that the algorithms create the trend based on overwhelmingly positive actions or statements by the individuals, more often than not it seems to be just the opposite.

Hero Makers

While we may verbally decry the celebrity culture that permeates so much of life, and especially the church, I think our default setting is to not only build platforms, but to place people upon them. Then, once developed, so many find themselves longing to be upon the platform themselves, to have influence, to be heard, noticed, and of course paid. It is a dangerous reality for this platform seems to have no guardrails.

Thus, in far too many high-profile cases, the inevitable happens. With no guardrails (humble accountability) a fall occurs.

This is not unique to the church. All avenues of life (business, finance, technology, politics, entertainment, sports, etc.) tend to create their own heroes and place them upon platforms.

The issue seems to be exacerbated when it occurs within the Christian evangelical subculture.

Yet, the question remains for those who have revered, looked up, and even just simply liked the fallen in question, “What now?”

News. Oh Boy!

The most recent story to made headlines focuses on accusations of former dcTalk and Newsboys frontman, Michael Tait. Tait has long been known for his voice and when dcTalk hit the scene back in the early 1990s, they released a video titled “Rap, Rock, & Soul” that in typical early 1990s fashion, highlighted the diverse styles of each member with Kevin Max (nee Smith) as the “rocker”, TobyMac (nee McKeehan) as the “rapper,” and Michael Tait as the “soul.”[1] Chart topping songs and albums such as “Nu Thang,” “Free At Last,” and “Jesus Freak” moved the artists into a realm of celebrity that few attain.

When dcTalk disbanded (though never formally) the artists began solo careers and recorded several albums. While TobyMac continues his successful solo career, Kevin Max eventually became the lead singer of Audio Adrenaline for a couple of years and in 2009 Michael Tait joined the Newsboys as their new lead. For those who grew up in youth ministry and loving Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) during the late 1990s and early 2000s, these three groups were mainstays and on constant rotation on Christian music stations and headlined many CCM music festivals and concert tours.

Suffice to say, many have enjoyed Michael Tait’s music over the years, whether as a solo artist or part of big-name CCM groups.

Then…the news hit.

It’s been called by some “the worst kept secret in Christian music” and in January of this year Michael Tait stepped down as lead singer of the Newsboys as the band was preparing for its Worldwide Revival Tour.[2] It seemingly came as a surprise to the band members. Then, within the past week, detailed reports with allegations of substance abuse, sexual misconduct, and even sexual assault against Tait have been published.[3] This story continues to unfold, and I won’t go any deeper into the allegations here as they are available on various news sites and blogs. However, the Newsboys did release a public statement on social media. It has been both received well some and not by others.

Public Statement by the Newboys via their X account on June 5, 2025.

Dangerous Calling

While the latest story to hit the news cycle centers on a musical artist, there have been far too many pastors and ministers who have large, public platforms in recent years who have disqualified them from service.

In 2012 Paul David Tripp’s excellent book Dangerous Calling was published. I have read this book. I have recommended it to numerous young men working through their personal calling to pastoral service. I will continue to do so. However, as with many books, there are recommendations from notable people printed on the back slipcover and in the front portion of the book. This year, Pastor Juan Sanchez preached at the Southern Baptist Convention Pastors’ Conference. In his sermon, he references this book and states the following…

“One of the sad ironies of the book is the endorsers of the actual book. Out of all the endorsers, three pastors who endorsed the book have disqualified themselves from ministry. One due to authoritarian leadership. One committed adultery. And one very publicly deconstructed his faith, divorced his wife, and affirmed the LGBTQ+ community.”[4]

Those he references are James MacDonald (authoritarian leadership), Tullian Tchividjian (adultery), and Joshua Harris (deconstruction and divorce). Like many pastors I have books from each of these men in my library and have benefited from their teachings in the past.

Artists & Pastors

Some will object to comparing the Michael Tait story to the pastoral examples. This is legitimate. While all Christians are called by God as his redeemed image-bearers to live holy, engage the lost, grow in faith, and make disciples (Matt. 28:19-20) not all are specifically called to the office of pastor/elder/shepherd. There are clear qualifiers for the office and calling of such in scripture. And, to be clear, there is a heavy responsibility for all Christians who have an audience, but especially for teachers of the Word (see James 3:1).

The list of Christian artists who have abandoned the faith, disavowed the gospel, deconstructed, failed morally, or simply have begun to live publicly in opposition to biblical teaching is growing. Artists whom I loved to listen to in the past now cause me to pause.

Whether it be Ray Boltz, Jennifer Knapp, Audrey Assad, or Kevin Max, questions about what to do now arise. What about artists who seek to remain, at least a bit, in the Christian music lane, but differ greatly in their theological, biblical, and even moral stances? This brings Derek Webb, Jars of Clay, Bethel Music, Elevation, Hillsong, and more under the microscope?

If you want to go old school, what about Horatio Spafford of the 1800s? Ever sung “It Is Well With My Soul”? Spafford’s most famous hymn is sung by many, but the man was known to hold beliefs contrary to Scripture, even heretical.

What Do We Do?

This is the question that continues to be raised. When someone we respect, honor, love to hear, and even like falls…what do we do with all they have done in the past that we deemed good? Should we still listen to the music? Should we sing along? Should we quote the pastors in sermons or Bible studies? Can we post quotes from their books on social media?

You likely want a simple answer and while some would say “It is simple. The answer is NO!” (or YES, depending on who you ask) I believe it may be more nuanced than we hoped.

Recently Josh Balogh published an article on his blog titled “Broken Vessels: Can the Art Be Separated from the Artist?” He addresses the most recent issue related to Tait from various perspectives. I won’t repost his blog here, but encourage you to read it as you wrestle through these issues.

For me, to be very transparent, it is much easier for me to “cancel” those whose songs I did not like, styles did not resonate, and writings were not helpful or in my lane of theology. If “Artist A” produced music I did not like, it was no issue for me to stop listening or singing along because I never did. If “Pastor B” wrote books or preached sermons that were outside my theological lane or were simply poorly done, to not read their works or listen to their old sermons is not a challenge at all. They were never someone I looked to anyway.

It would be like me going on a diet where I could not eat seafood. The fact is I do not like seafood. I do not eat seafood. So, if I was to go on an anti-seafood diet, nothing would change.

But that is not the case here. In the age of CDs, I accumulated many of these albums of the past. I have them still (though Spotify has replaced my CD player) and the music remains entertaining, encouraging, and even inspirational. The first CD I ever purchased was Ray Boltz’s “Seasons Change.” My subscription to the Youth Leaders Only CD club ensured I had the latest recordings of known artists and up-and-coming ones. Thus…I have dozens of CDs still in my office. Caedmon’s Call, Jars of Clay, and the Newsboys were on constant rotation. There are few CCM songs as good as “Romans” by Jennifer Knapp. But must I have a “record burning” like Christians did in the 1950s and 1960s with the evil Rock & Roll records to be faithful?

What about these books by MacDonald, Tchividjian, Harris, Bell, Hybels, Driscoll, Hunt, and others? Is it bonfire or dumpster time?

God Uses Broken Vessels

As the title of Balogh’s post reminds us, we are all broken vessels to a degree. None is perfect and yet, God can and will continue to use each of us. Of course, being an imperfect Christian who sometimes sins is different than wearing the name of Christ, climbing the celebrity ladder, and living intentionally and knowingly in opposition to the truth of God’s Word as unrepentant men and women.

So certainly God has and continues to use broken vessels for his glory. Perhaps that’s the issue? Maybe, just maybe the questions to be answered have less to do with what to do with our old CDs and books? Maybe it has to do with glory. Who in my life is getting the glory? God will deal with those who make a mockery of his name. Thus, I do not have to worry as much about that as I may initially believe.

I should pray for those who have fallen. Pray for repentance and restoration. And, for me, I end up not listening to the old songs as much. Why? Because when I do I just struggle with disconnecting the singer and the song. Of course, there may be many others connectec with a song as writers, musicians, and producers, but it seems that the artist is the one on center stage, if not literally, then figuratively.

As for pastors and teachers, I certainly can gain wisdom from some of their writings in the past. I still have several of their books, but I will not quote them in sermons, share their thoughts on blog posts, or post a pretty version of a quote from their respective writings. Why? Because while I may be able to disconnect the words from the speaker (or writer) those who hear or read my writings will sadly see my quote as an endorsement.

The same is true for songs.

As a church, we seek to not sing in public worship those songs by ones who have deconstructed and disavowed the gospel. Otherwise, our singing of truth in a song will be misinterpreted. It will seem to be an endorsement or wrong teaching or immoral lifestyles.

In cases where a pastor/teacher is disqualified, this must be noted and the creation of a short journey back to the platform must be stopped. Where sexual assault and abuse are found to be true, whether from a singer, musician, pastor, teacher, greeter, custodian, etc. law enforcement must be notified. These should be no-brainers, but it bears stating. Turning the other cheek is biblical, but so often misused to justify easy forgiveness of those with strong personalities.

Regarding victims of such abuse, the church must not run from them, but to them to serve and help in proper, loving, and biblically-sound ways. Each circumstance is unique, but for every fallen “hero” there often lies a crowd of victims who have and will struggle to understand the love of Christ and those who wear his name in righteousness.

Most Are Faithful

Thankfully, there are a vast number of Christian singers, musicians, artists, teachers, and pastors who faithfully use their gifts for the glory of God and the good of his church. The bad apples are noticed and have many articles and opinions written of them. The faithful do the work and love the Lord and are honorable men and women. May their tribe increase!

Yet, we must be careful not to throw stones at the ones who fall. We must be diligent in our prayers. Do our best to not create Christian celebrities. Spend more time in the Word of God than in books by other Christians about the Word of God.

The lyrics of one of dcTalk’s hits resonate today. Beginning with a quote from Brennan Manning, then lyrics that cut to the quick.

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.

What if I stumble
What if I fall?
What if I lose my step
And I make fools of us all?
Will the love continue
When my walk becomes a crawl?
What if I stumble
And what if I fall?[5]

When you fall from a platform with no guardrails, it’s a long way down, and you tend to take others with you on the way.

We are wise to remember and take to heart the words of Paul to the church in Ephesus.

Ephesians 4:1-3

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.[6]

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[1] “Rap, Rock & Soul.” Sony/BMG, 1992.

[2] “Michael Tait Steps down as Lead Singer of Newsboys after 15 Years.” CCM Magazine, 18 Jan. 2025, www.ccmmagazine.com/news/michael-tait-steps-down-as-lead-singer-of-newsboys-after-15-years/.

[3] Dowling, Marcus K. “Christian Rock Band Respond to Former Member’s Drug Abuse, Sexual Assault Allegations.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 9 June 2025, www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/06/05/newsboys-address-michael-tait-sex-assault-allegations/84062451007/.

[4] Sanchez, Juan. Sermon at SBC Pastors’ Conference 2025, 9 June 2025.

[5] dcTalk. “What If I Stumble.” Jesus Freak, Forefront Records ; Distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, 1 Nov. 1995.

[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 4:1–3.