The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 741 | How To Know When You've Crossed A Moral Line: Max Lucado on Church Leadership, Moral Failure, and How to Tame Your Thoughts
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Jul 15, 2025 
Max Lucado, a renowned pastor and bestselling author, shares his insights on navigating moral dilemmas in church leadership. He discusses the trauma caused by breaches of trust within congregations and how leaders can recognize when they've crossed a moral line. Lucado emphasizes the importance of humility, authenticity, and the practice of 'picky thinking' to align thoughts with God's wisdom. He also reflects on his interim role at Gateway Church, addressing the emotional complexities of leadership and the journey toward healing.
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Disappointment as Emotional Vocabulary
- Disappointment captures the emotional impact when leadership fails.
- Naming disappointment helps people process betrayal and manage expectations of life.
Early Leadership Disappointment Story
- Max Lucado raised $15,000 for Brazil mission but elders tried to keep half.
- Their reversal after his emotional response taught him a hard lesson in trust and disappointment.
The Line of Credibility in Leadership
- Keep elders or leaders accountable to monitor a pastor's credibility.
- If credibility cannot be restored, stepping down is necessary to preserve influence.
