What should Christians do when pastors fail? With scandal after scandal shaking the church, many are wondering if they can trust their spiritual leaders. Sadly, in far too many cases, pastors and other ministers have defaulted on their people’s trust.

While some of us were raised in a church tradition where the pastor was “the Lord’s anointed”—and thus untouchable—this isn’t God’s way. In the church, indiscriminate trust is inherently dangerous. Blind faith can be as unhealthy as constant suspicion. When it comes to church leaders, we must realize the Bible never calls us to unquestioning loyalty or allegiance at all costs.

Instead, the Bible is clear that church leaders can and do fail. That’s why it gives criteria for assessing future elders, commands to stay alert to their character and teaching, and conditions for bringing them under discipline. In that sense, the Bible is refreshingly honest about the church as an imperfect institution.

Along those lines, Garrett Kell provides readers with some suggestions for “When to Distrust Your Pastor.” He doesn’t assume all leaders are bad or that church members should operate with a default disposition of distrust. But he lists nine warning signs that a shepherd may not be so good. His advice should be welcome for laypeople and leaders alike.