In September 2024, Pastor Steven Lawson was removed from ministry after admitting to an inappropriate relationship with a woman in her late twenties. As a result, he was dismissed from Trinity Bible Church of Dallas and removed from his roles at The Master’s Seminary and Ligonier Ministries. 

Reports suggest that the relationship lasted for about five years and that Lawson only admitted to it after the woman’s father confronted him. His downfall has caused widespread disappointment and has sparked discussions about accountability among church leaders, particularly within the Reformed community, where he was highly respected.

In June 2021, I attended a preaching conference hosted by One Passion Ministries and led by Steve Lawson. As someone newly entering full-time ministry, I was navigating unfamiliar territory and struggling to establish a structured schedule. Previously, I had been accustomed to a job with fixed hours, where I would simply clock in and out each day. However, transitioning to full-time ministry left me uncertain about how to organize my week effectively.

During the conference, Lawson was asked how those in full-time ministry should structure their day. He shared his approach, explaining that he dedicates his mornings to God, his afternoons to serving others, and the rest of his day to his family. This insight helped me develop a better plan for managing my time in ministry.

You would expect a man who passionately preaches God’s Word and is dedicated to equipping others in preaching to be above reproach—but I was wrong. I especially believed this to be true because he upheld the doctrines of grace.

In my previous post, The Ye Effect, I discussed the importance of discernment when celebrities profess faith. In light of this situation, it can feel disheartening, as it adds to the pressure of being skeptical about everything and everyone.

Lawson’s deception has not only caused confusion but also deep concern—not just for him, but for those of us who trusted him. Was there any way to see this coming? I remember when the Ravi Zacharias scandal became public, or when Art Azurdia’s failure was exposed. The list goes on. How can we discern the truth about those who not only profess faith but also lead others in it?

Here are some important things to consider. While this isn’t a foolproof list, it can help us avoid being misled by ministries where leaders live in contradiction to the message they preach.

First, be discerning when it comes to itinerant speakers and preachers. If you can’t name their pastor or home church, it may be wise to reconsider attending their events. This might seem extreme, but if you take the need for sound doctrine seriously, it’s worth taking the time to research and verify their spiritual accountability. 

This was the mistake I made with Ravi Zacharias. After everything that came to light about him, I realized this was the one thing I wished I had considered earlier. Well-known itinerant speakers are not exempt from the need to attend a local church. They must also invest in it and actively participate in its life and mission.

Hebrews 10:24-25 tells the believer to to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. If an itinerant speaker’s travel schedule prevents them from encouraging and building up fellow believers in their local church, it raises concerns about their priorities, as they are neglecting their commitment to the local gathering.

The second thing to consider is their platform. Do they only speak at large conferences and high-profile events, or are they also involved in smaller, more personal settings? Speakers who are living in secret, unrepentant sin often gravitate toward large audiences, where they can avoid personal accountability. I’m not suggesting that speaking to large crowds is inherently wrong, but it can attract those who seek to exalt themselves rather than serve others. Especially if they focus solely on large events while neglecting their commitment to the local church.

Recently, I heard about a well-known Reformed pastor who spoke at a small local gathering. It wasn’t widely advertised, and from what I’ve learned, he has had multiple opportunities to preach in similar small, local church settings. This kind of involvement demonstrates a commitment to ministry beyond just large platforms. Again, speaking at large gatherings is not the issue, but it can easily attract those with a worldly mindset who are more focused on gaining an audience than faithfully serving.

Lastly, we may need to reconsider the role of itinerant speakers altogether. Does Scripture support believers being so disconnected from the local gathering of the saints? This is an issue that deserves serious examination. Perhaps our mistake has been turning gifted speakers into celebrities rather than ensuring they remain rooted in the accountability of the local church.

Perhaps we have wrongly assumed that the gift of speaking is a valid reason for allowing someone to travel extensively without accountability. Maybe we have placed too much emphasis on eloquence and skill rather than on character and faithfulness. Paul warned about this in 2 Corinthians 11, where he stated that he was not inferior to those he called “super-apostles,” even though they may have been more skilled in speaking. In the previous chapter, he referenced what others said about him—that while his letters were powerful and strong, his physical presence was weak, and his speaking ability was unimpressive (2 Corinthians 10:10).

The size of conferences isn’t the issue, but large crowds can unintentionally create celebrities out of the speakers they promote. This is why I believe in smaller gatherings—small enough to prevent this problem while still being meaningful and allowing for personal engagement.

I recognize that these considerations are not without flaws, mainly because the situation is complex and difficult to navigate. There is a danger in becoming overly skeptical and suspicious of everyone and everything, which is why discernment and accountability are crucial. If we are not careful, we risk making the same mistakes as those we critique—becoming like the Pharisees or, even worse, falling into deception like itinerant speakers blinded by their own ambitions. In all things, we must balance charity with discernment, approaching the prominent voices of our time with patience and careful evaluation.

Lawson, a powerful and persuasive speaker, was removed from ministry. His deception and downfall serve as a reminder that eloquence and presentation are not the most important qualities in a leader. Perhaps the culture of constantly seeking the next big name in Christianity needs to end. Instead, we should focus on what truly matters—loving God and loving our neighbors. This is best lived out in the local church, where genuine relationships and accountability take place.