After more than two decades of elder service across multiple churches, I’ve learned some painful lessons about leadership—including lessons about myself. I’ve wrestled with the question: “Am I the common denominator in these conflicts?” I’ve asked God to show me my own blind spots and areas where I could have responded better. What I’ve discovered is that recognizing elder tyranny and pursuing biblical accountability often creates tension with those who prefer to avoid difficult conversations.
What is Elder Tyranny? Elder tyranny occurs when church leaders abuse their biblical authority through manipulation, secrecy, and authoritarian control, departing from the servant leadership model Christ commanded.
I share these experiences not to expose anyone or discourage faith in The Church, but because I’ve seen too many believers wounded by leadership patterns that contradict Scripture. My prayer is that understanding these church leadership red flags will help local churches implement the biblical leadership that honors Christ and demonstrates His character to watching communities.
If you’re reading this with a knot in your stomach because these patterns sound familiar, you’re not alone. Most importantly, recognizing the problem is the first step toward biblical solutions that can restore health to local church leadership while strengthening The Church’s witness.
What Biblical Leadership Actually Looks Like
Before we can identify unhealthy patterns, we need to understand what biblical eldership should be. Jesus made it crystal clear: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25-26).
The Greek word katakurieuo that Jesus uses means “to overpower, exercise dominion, or lord it over.” Christ explicitly forbids the domineering leadership style common in worldly power structures. Furthermore, Peter echoes this warning to elders: “nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3)—using the same Greek word.
Biblical elders lead through teaching, example, and persuasion—not through manipulation, intimidation, or authoritarian control. They serve the local congregation while representing Christ’s universal Church with humility and accountability.
When leadership departs from this biblical model, it doesn’t just damage the local church—it wounds people’s faith and undermines The Church’s credibility in the community.
Understanding the Stakes: Why Elder Accountability Matters More
Scripture holds church leaders to higher standards than ordinary believers. James 3:1 warns: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” This isn’t about being harsh with leaders—it’s about protecting The Church’s integrity and witness.
Paul’s instruction for elder discipline differs from the process for regular church members: “Those who persist in sin rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear” (1 Timothy 5:20). The public nature of elder correction reflects the public impact of leadership failure.
This higher standard exists because elder misconduct damages more than individual relationships—it can destroy faith, split churches, and give the watching world reasons to dismiss the gospel. Therefore, understanding this helps explain why pursuing leadership accountability, while often uncomfortable, serves the greater good of Christ’s Church.
Red Flag #1: Spiritual Manipulation
One of the most destructive patterns occurs when leaders weaponize spiritual language to control people and shut down legitimate discussion.
“God Told Me” Statements
I’ve observed leaders begin controversial discussions with phrases like, “I’ve prayed about this, and God has shown me…” This approach transforms personal opinions into divine mandates and makes questioning the leader equivalent to questioning God Himself.
What this looks like:
- Claiming special revelation for personal preferences
- Using prayer, fasting, or “seeking God” as trump cards in debates
- Presenting human decisions as if they came directly from Scripture
- Questioning others’ spirituality when they disagree
Misusing Scripture to Demand Submission
Some of the most dangerous situations I’ve encountered involved leaders who knew just enough Scripture to misuse it. They quote passages about submission and authority while ignoring the context and original meaning.
During one confrontation, I heard a leader quote Titus 3:1 about being “submissive to rulers and authorities” to demand unquestioning obedience. When I asked about the Greek word for “submit,” he couldn’t answer. When I explained that hypeiko actually means “yielding, retiring, or withdrawing”—not blind obedience—it was dismissed as mere “semantics.”
Biblical reality check: The Bereans were called “noble” for examining even Paul’s teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11). Leaders who discourage questions or biblical examination are operating outside the biblical model.
Red Flag #2: Information Control and Secrecy
Problematic leaders often control information to maintain power and avoid accountability.
Secret Decision-Making
Healthy elder boards operate with transparency among their members. Warning signs include:
- Important meetings held without proper notice to all elders
- Decisions finalized before affected parties can provide input
- Committee work conducted without appropriate representation
- Financial decisions made without adequate elder oversight
Broken Communication Promises
I’ve seen patterns where leaders promise transparency and communication but fail to follow through. This might involve:
- Pledging to keep former leaders “in the loop” on major decisions, then providing no communication
- Making commitments during leadership transitions that are quietly abandoned
- Creating expectations for congregational involvement that are later ignored
Controlling Financial Information
Warning signs include:
- Restricting access to detailed financial records
- Making significant budget decisions without proper elder input
- Changing financial commitments (like missionary support) without adequate discussion
- Disbanding oversight committees to concentrate decision-making power
Red Flag #3: Silencing Opposition and Questions
Unhealthy leaders systematically marginalize anyone who asks hard questions or challenges their decisions.
Labeling Legitimate Concerns as “Divisive”
I’ve learned that simply asking questions about church governance can be interpreted as seditious behavior. Leaders who are uncomfortable with accountability often:
- Treat requests for information as suspicious activity
- Assume questioners are part of organized opposition
- Demand “mandatory” meetings to address “concerns” about someone asking questions
- Label biblical accountability efforts as divisive or rebellious
Refusing to Address Legitimate Issues
Sometimes leaders believe they can unilaterally decide what deserves elder board attention. This might manifest as:
- Refusing to bring member concerns to the board for discussion
- Claiming sole authority to determine what constitutes important business
- Bypassing established processes for decision-making
- Operating as if they’re above the authority of the elder board
Using Church Discipline as a Threat
The most serious pattern involves using church discipline as a weapon against accountability rather than a tool for restoration. This includes:
- Threatening removal from membership for asking questions
- Demanding individual meetings instead of group discussions (divide-and-conquer tactics)
- Creating ultimatums: submit or leave
- Using formal discipline processes to silence opposition rather than address sin
Red Flag #4: Abuse of Positional Authority
Some leaders use their office to make unilateral decisions and avoid accountability.
Creating Unbiblical Hierarchy
I’ve encountered leaders who speak of “ruling elders” and claim authority to “rule over” the congregation based on 1 Timothy 5:17. This misses the point that the Greek word proistemi means “standing in front of, guiding and providing care for”—not exercising dominion.
Biblical reality: Paul explicitly states, “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy” (2 Corinthians 1:24). Even apostolic authority was exercised with restraint and respect.
Bypassing Established Processes
Healthy churches have bylaws and processes for good reasons. Red flags include:
- Making hiring decisions without proper board approval
- Modifying church constitution or bylaws without appropriate process
- Ignoring established procedures when they become inconvenient
- Claiming emergency authority to bypass normal accountability
Making Decisions Based on Personal Preferences
Sometimes leaders predetermine outcomes based on personal vision rather than collective discernment. This might involve:
- Presenting options as if there’s only one acceptable choice
- Making statements that reveal predetermined conclusions
- Refusing to consider alternatives that don’t align with personal preferences
- Operating as if major directional decisions have already been settled
Red Flag #5: Character Issues That Enable Problematic Patterns
Certain character traits make unhealthy leadership more likely to develop and persist.
Pride Disguised as Spiritual Confidence
Leaders sometimes present stubbornness as spiritual conviction and controlling behavior as biblical leadership. They may:
- Surround themselves with people who won’t challenge them
- Interpret opposition as spiritual warfare against their ministry
- Refuse to acknowledge mistakes or admit fault
- Claim special insight or calling that others lack
Defensive Anger When Questioned
Healthy leaders welcome examination and discussion because truth isn’t threatened by questions. Warning signs include:
- Anger or defensiveness when asked for clarification
- Personal attacks on those who raise concerns
- Accusations about motives when people ask questions
- Inability to distinguish between questioning decisions and questioning character
Lack of Transparency in Personal Matters
Warning signs include:
- Unwillingness to submit to evaluation or accountability
- Secretive patterns in financial or personal matters
- History of broken relationships and conflicts in previous ministries
- Surrounding themselves only with supporters who don’t ask hard questions
Red Flag #6: Fear-Based Decision Making
Perhaps the most tragic aspect of problematic leadership is how it corrupts other leaders through fear.
Fear of Confrontation
I’ve witnessed situations where leaders faced a choice between maintaining biblical accountability and preserving organizational stability. When fear wins, elder boards transform from spiritual overseers into organizational managers focused on survival rather than faithfulness.
Fear of Financial Loss
Many churches avoid confronting problematic patterns because they fear people (and their financial support) might leave. This economic pressure corrupts biblical decision-making and enables destructive behavior to continue.
Fear of Conflict
Some leaders will “look the other way” rather than address clear violations of biblical standards or church procedures. They convince themselves that avoiding conflict serves unity, but actually enables patterns that ultimately cause greater damage.
Recognizing Elder Tyranny: The Pattern of Escalation
Problematic leadership rarely begins with obvious abuse. Instead, it typically follows a predictable pattern:
- Gradual Boundary Testing: Small violations of process or authority to see what opposition emerges
- Isolation of Opposition: Marginalizing or removing those who ask questions
- Structural Changes: Modifying bylaws or processes to consolidate authority
- Cultural Intimidation: Creating an atmosphere where questioning leadership is treated as disloyalty
- Reduced Accountability: Operating with minimal oversight or meaningful evaluation
Why This Matters Beyond Your Local Church
Leadership problems don’t just damage individual congregations—they undermine The Church’s witness in the community. When local churches are known for conflicts, authoritarian control, or covering up problems, it gives unbelievers reasons to dismiss Christianity as hypocritical.
Biblical eldership, properly implemented, demonstrates Christ’s character and validates the gospel’s power to transform hearts and relationships. In contrast, when leadership reflects worldly power structures instead of servant leadership, it suggests that Christianity offers nothing different from secular organizations.
Personal Reflection: Am I the Problem?
If you find yourself repeatedly in conflict with church leadership, it’s natural to wonder if you’re the problem. I’ve asked myself this question many times. Here’s what I’ve learned:
Healthy self-examination includes asking:
- Am I raising concerns in a biblical manner?
- Am I open to correction and different perspectives?
- Are my motives pure, or am I driven by personal preferences?
- Am I willing to submit to legitimate authority exercised biblically?
But also recognize that:
- Pursuing biblical accountability often creates tension with those who prefer to avoid difficult conversations
- Standing for biblical principles sometimes puts you at odds with popular opinion
- God calls us to faithfulness, not necessarily to organizational peace
- The Reformers, prophets, and even Christ Himself faced opposition for challenging religious establishments
What If This Sounds Familiar?
If you recognize these patterns in your church experience, you’re not alone, and you’re not imagining things. These problems are more common than many people realize, and acknowledging them is the first step toward biblical solutions.
Remember several important truths:
You are not responsible for others’ choices. While we should examine our own hearts and methods, we’re not accountable for how others respond to biblical accountability efforts.
God’s design for church leadership is good, even when human leaders fail to implement it properly. The problem isn’t with biblical eldership—it’s with unqualified people claiming authority they haven’t earned.
The Church will survive leadership failures. Christ promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His Church. Local church problems, while painful, cannot ultimately destroy what God is building.
Your experience can help others. God often uses our painful experiences to equip us to help others facing similar challenges.
As a result, in our next article, we’ll examine biblical responses to problematic leadership—how to confront issues appropriately, when to stay and work for change, when to leave for your family’s spiritual health, and how to protect yourself through the process.
Are you experiencing concerning patterns in your local church leadership? Download our “Elder Accountability Assessment“ to evaluate your church’s health and discover biblical next steps.
In our next article: “Biblical Solutions to Leadership Abuse: How to Respond When Elders Fail Their Calling”