What About the 7000 Who Haven't Bowed?

Everytime a scandal breaks loose in the mega-church, mega-ministry, tele-evangelist world, people rush to pass judgment on the ills of Christianity and Christian ministers.  Recent events have once again set the wheels of destructive finger pointing in motion.  In a recent article entitled, What Is Happening To Clergy In America?, the author equates the root cause of all clerical problems to unaccountable, sinful actions.  He writes,

It seems today that the church and its leaders are experiencing a genuine and increasing attack by Satan. Why is this? It might be due to stress or burnout in the lives of clergy, or it could just be carelessness. Whatever it is, it is sin and it must be addressed. What we have found most often is that moral or ethical failure can be partially categorized in three phrases.

     1. A lack of accountability and too much power.
     2. Unresolved conflict at home.
     3. Limited time spent along with God.
Failure to address any one of these three challenges can lead to great sorrow and ministerial failure.

While the general premise of these statements may be correct, one cannot help but wonder why society seems to lump every minister into the same category.  Just because some superstar minister becomes entagled in a scathing scandal does not mean that the whole of American clergy has gone to pot.  Ministers are human and they fail, but that doesn't mean that the total sum of ministry is somehow susceptible to sinning. 

The story of Elijah is educational.  This great anointed prophet withstood hundreds of idolatrous priests, called fire from heaven and punsihed a wicked nation for turning from God.  However, in a moment of weakness he ran from his persecutors and hid in a cave.  When God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" he responded with a self-absorded whine, "All of Israel has forken Your covenant .... and I alone am left" (1 Kings 19:10).  God reminded him that while the wind, earthquake and fire are ominous, He is able to speak comfort through "a still small voice."  He reminded Elijah that there were 7000 in Israel who had not bowed before idolatry and wickedness. 

We would do well to remind ourselves that when a minister falls, or a superstar burns-out, there are still thousands around the world preaching the gospel, sacrificing their lives, and taking the Kingdom of God into the far corners of the world.  There are men and women, who may never receive noteriety or fame, that are humbly walking in the paths of righteousness and are ministering continually to the hurting and dying world around them.  What's happening to the clergy in America?  The majority are fulfilling the Great Commission, without any fanfare, without any prosperity, and without any superstar status.  Those are the ones that we should  focus our attention on and recognize them for their tremendous labor of love.  Paul urges us to, recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord ... and esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

The fall of the super-nova in the Christian world should not be surpising to anyone.  One only needs to look at the pattern of their lifestyle to be able to discern that they sometimes set themselves up for a fall.  The Scriptures plainly tell us that whoever humbles himself will be exalted and whoever exalts himself will be brought down.