“… I suspect that along the way, people choose not to see things that might be troubling, especially among their leaders. … I’ve noticed that people choose to believe the best, overlooking possible inconsistencies, minimizing minor relational violations along the way, dismissing their own suspicions. For some, pastoral leaders are seen as spiritual authorities, holy and set apart, sanctioned by God, and thus above suspicion. Saint Paul says, “Keep watch.”
Chuck DeGroat in When Narcissism Comes to Church
“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Acts 20: 28 NIV