On this episode of Sunburnt Souls, Pastor Dave Kwak welcomes special guest Karl Faase to talk about faith, mental health, and the challenges of being a church leader. It’s especially important for those in Christian ministry to feel comfortable talking about these issues.
Karl shares some valuable insights from his experience in church leadership. He’s now moved from being a pastor to starting Olive Tree Media with his wife, where they create content for church communities. Karl talks about how their approach to promoting Christian beliefs has changed over time. His goal is to spread inspiring messages through daily radio shows and documentaries about the history of faith in Australia.
Karl also talks about recent challenges in church leadership, including scandals in famous ministries like Hillsong and Willow Creek Church. He shares concerns about accountability and integrity in church organisations. Karl points out that some leaders avoid scrutiny, which can allow unethical practices to go unnoticed. He emphasises the need for churches to be transparent in their operations to build trust.
Keeping People to Account
‘There’s a couple of things going on,’ says Karl. ‘It’s either that what we’re rising up through the church is a whole bunch of very dysfunctional people. That could be the crux. Or we’re setting up systems within organisations and churches that fail to keep people to account. And I think it’s more the second than the first.’
The emotional impact of these issues is significant, especially for people dealing with mental health struggles. Karl believes that these challenges can make it hard for people to speak out against bad behavior or toxic leadership. There is a need for safe spaces in church communities where members can express their concerns without fear of backlash.
Karl also talks about the misuse of interns and volunteers, warning against taking advantage of them. He shares troubling stories of leaders who place unfair demands on those in less powerful positions. When volunteers are exploited, it undermines the true purpose of ministry and can lead to various forms of abuse, whether spiritual, emotional, or financial.
‘We all need people around us that will call us to account,’ says Karl. ‘Our failed human nature will lead us into the wrong spaces. That’s the piece in all of this. None of us should trust ourselves. And it’s not because we’re awful. It’s just because we’re all human.’
God’s wisdom in dealing with challenges
We all need to pray for our leaders and church members, asking God for wisdom in dealing with the challenges of church life and protection from unethical behaviour. Karl hopes churches will grow based on fair and Godly principles. The importance of accountability, humility, and respect to maintain a healthy faith community cannot be overlooked.
‘Lord, we want to see the church within Australia flourish and make a difference,’ says Karl. ‘But we know that will only happen when we live out the values of the Kingdom of God and we pray that You will help us to do that.’
Sunburnt Souls is here to help those living in the complicated overlap of faith and mental health. Each episode features a different guest sharing their journey and the life lessons they’ve learned along the way. Make sure you join us next time for another episode of Sunburnt Souls, available on Vision’s website and app!
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