What does a just, biblical process look like for church leaders accused of wrongdoing? In this session, Andrew Selley is joined by Mike Davies and Nadene Badenhorst to explore the scriptural principles that lead to fair and truthful outcomes. They look at the dangers of modern-day exposés across media channels by unpacking the legal elements of a fair trial. This comparison highlights where independent, public investigation and judgments fall short. God’s ways for His Kingdom safeguard both saints and leaders, for the purification of His body.

This session is part of the #BeEquipped series – conversations about current issues facing the church. Explore more thought-provoking messages from this series.

This is a Four12 Podcast.

0:00 Introductions

3:57 Public allegations against church leaders

09:28 Can we publicly call out leaders?

17:32 God’s judgment on the church

21:27 Is Four12 open to outside correction?

26:53 What does a fair trial look like?

44:28 Protecting saints who have been hurt

50:38 Due processes for a just verdict

1:04:47 Is restorative justice biblical?

1:14:15 Conclusion: the biblical way forward

About the Speakers:

Andrew Selley is the apostolic leader of Four12 (F12) and the lead elder of multisite, Joshua Generation Church. He has been in full-time ministry since 1996. After serving on the NCMI apostolic team for five years, he founded Four12 in 2011. Andrew is based in California, USA, with his wife, Emma, and their daughter, Enyah.

Mike Davies serves on eldership within Joshua Generation Church, South Africa. He is married to Chantal, and they have two daughters. He loves to see people equipped to effectively serve the Kingdom of God through teaching and writing.

Nadene Badenhorst serves as a deacon within Joshua Generation Church, South Africa. Having practised as an Advocate for many years, she is now full-time within Four12. Nadene is passionate about equipping and training the saints and women’s ministry.

How do we navigate the growing wave of accusations against church leaders? In this session, Andrew Selley addresses the confusion surrounding leadership failures, public criticism, and allegations. He calls the church back to biblical process – urging us to respond with righteousness, integrity, and wisdom. As we face these challenges, let us honour Jesus and His bride in the way we handle these difficult matters.

This session forms part of the #BeEquipped series – conversations around current issues facing the church. Explore more thought-provoking messages from this series.

This is a Four12 Podcast.

0:00 Introduction

0:50 Landing on the side of truth

3:04 End-times rebellion against God’s leaders

8:04 Navigating discipline, sin, and erring leaders

14:35 Grounds for defense against accusations

27:52 The biblical way to process allegations

About the Speaker:

Andrew Selley is the apostolic leader of Four12 (F12) and the lead elder of multisite, Joshua Generation Church. He has been in full-time ministry since 1996. After serving on the NCMI apostolic team for five years, he founded Four12 in 2011. Andrew is based in California, USA, with his wife, Emma, and their daughter, Enyah.

How can we guard our churches against drifting from the truth? In this conversation, Andrew Selley and Mike Davies explore how individuals, leaders, churches, and even apostolic movements can slowly move off course, away from God’s will. Using examples from Scripture, church history, and personal reflection, they unpack why repentance, accountability, and continual recalibration are essential for maintaining healthy churches. God calls us to walk a narrow path—let’s be quick to repent to stay the course.

This session forms part of the #BeEquipped series—conversations around current issues facing the church. Watch other thought-provoking videos from the series.

This is a Four12 Podcast.

In this session, we unpack how to effectively lead a meeting during a move of God, as well as how to lead saints and worship teams, all the while understanding the importance of posturing our hearts before the Lord and shifting gear to where He is ultimately leading.  

Believers need to know that, as sons and daughters of Christ, we have authority over the spiritual powers at play. In this session, we dive into whether or not a Christian can be demonised, and how to receive breakthrough in this area.  

What is the difference between speaking in tongues and bringing a tongue? And is there something wrong with me if I can’t yet speak in tongues? In this session, we discuss this widely debated subject, aiming to bring clarity and peace of mind to those seeking answers on this particular spiritual gift.  

Should we view the rise of the online church as a good thing because many more people can be reached than before, or should we reject it as illegitimate? Going online can be a helpful answer during a time of physical limitation, but is it a long-term solution that will produce healthy New Testament churches?  

Today, people are not only instructed to acknowledge the sins of those who came before them but also to repent on their behalf publicly. Is it possible to repent of the actions of your forefathers or countrymen, or is it simply a pointless and endless exercise? What is the difference between recognising the past and apologising for it?  

When singing worship songs together in church meetings, we must properly assess the focus, content and theology of what is being said about God and what is being said about us. But should we even sing songs that come from churches or groups that we have doctrinal differences with, and at what point do we avoid them altogether?  

Some say that we must tithe or we will be punished, while others say it was commanded under the Law of Moses and is no longer required. But what does the Bible say? What should be our motivation for tithing, and where should we find guidance on whether we should do it or not? In this session, we unpack tithing, its relevance today, and the role of faith as we tithe.  

Easter, Christmas, Lent and Halloween are calendar observances that both Christians and non-Christians celebrate. There is, however, disagreement about the problems presented by each of their histories, practices and associations. Which ones can we agree to disagree about, and where do we have the freedom to allow one another to follow our consciences?  

Why tolerating sexual sin is satan’s silent strategy to disarm the church.  

As believers, we are aware that sexual sin is a compromise and, Biblically, should not be tolerated. Yet, it seems particularly difficult to bring this area into the light and for believers to walk in freedom. In this session, we take a closer look at the issue of sexual sin in the church. In particular, we discuss why tolerating sexual sin is satan’s silent strategy to disarm the church and the vital importance of accountability, confession and repentance in walking people into freedom. We share about the loving discipline of the Father, whose heart is to redeem and restore those He loves.  

Links to helpful resources mentioned:  

• Ever Accountable: www.everaccountable.com  
• Covenant Eyes: www.covenanteyes.com  
• Conquer Series: www.conquerseries.com  

Scriptures Referenced:  

Matthew 5:8, Revelation 2:14, James 4:6, Revelation 2:1, Numbers 5, 1 Corinthians 5:6, Proverbs 5, 6 & 7  

When the nation's laws are at odds with the commands of God, who do we obey?  

The Bible tells us to submit to governing authorities and obey them. But at a certain point, when laws are at odds with the commands of God, we must decide whether to obey Him or the rulers of our nation. The people of God are called to live in peace and not in rebellion, yet there appear to be clear examples in Scripture where God’s people chose to follow their consciences. When exactly have we reached that point?  

Should church leadership be representative of different groups?  

One of the main priorities of our generation is diversity, inclusivity and equal representation in business, media, sport and entertainment. In this session, we look at diversity in church leadership. We discuss how church leadership structures function and whether the church should adopt the same approach as others to keep up with the world around them. Ultimately, we're reminded that the church consists of God's people, it is His Kingdom, and, as Lord and King, we need to keep in step with His Spirit and do things His way. 

The importance of unity in diversity.  

Serving on a church leadership team is not without its struggles. So many different ideas, views and personalities come into play. In this session, we take a closer look at the issue of guarding the unity within eldership teams. In particular, we discuss why unity is worth fighting for, what healthy eldership teams look like, the role of lead elders and how to bring your perspective with humility. We're left with a reminder that it's really about Jesus, seeking His will, His presence, and building on His Word.  

Why accountability is not others meddling in your life.  

“Accountability” is one word the world despises, and even the church seems to have grown to oppose it, mainly because it is misunderstood or we have grown overfamiliar with the term, forgetting the power of living it out.  In this session, we explore the concept of “accountability” – what it is, why it is necessary, and where it is evident in the Bible. We take a closer look at the biggest reasons people oppose accountability and discuss why it’s not others meddling in your life. Instead, accountability is an opportunity to truly live like Jesus. We must be bold, live in the light and give an account today so we can stand firm to the end.  

As an apostolic and prophetic movement, we have high regard for the gift of prophecy. With this in mind, we believe that the prophetic is relevant for today, valuable, and necessary for the modern church, and should not be avoided but used correctly.  

Andrew Selley recently addressed the issue of prophecy, the role of the prophetic and how God has been disciplining His people through the prophetic in, False Prophecies & Trump, What Now? As a follow-up to this, Shaun, Andrew, and Mervis came together to address some questions around the topic of the prophetic and its application in the church.  

They take a closer look at what prophecy is, the distinction between someone prophetically gifted and a prophet, practicalities around how to give, receive and deliver a prophecy, and what makes a false prophet.  

Questions have arisen in the church worldwide as it has been revealed that yet another prominent evangelical leader and Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias, was leading something of a double life with unconfessed sexual sin.  

In this session, Andrew and Luke discuss the impact this has had on the church, why this is the case, and what we can learn from Ravi’s fall. They address questions such as, “How can such a leader fall into sin while being used so powerfully by God?”, “What about the things Ravi said and taught, are they still true?”, “Would Ravi have made it to Heaven?”, “Is there a problem in the Evangelical church today with so many leaders falling into sin?”, and “What should Four12 churches, and Andrew, practically do to try and prevent the same from occurring within their leadership teams?” 

They also touch on accountability and openness, the irrevocable call of God, realistic expectations on leaders, imitating and following leaders, the biblical church’s role as a place of safety, and the fear of God.  

Cancel Culture has emerged as the latest “Trojan horse” of the social justice movement. Countless numbers of Christians have bought into the system without thinking about what is secretly hidden inside. In this session, Andrew shares about the hidden demonic agenda behind Cancel Culture and how Christians should avoid its influence, instead remembering their call to preach reconciliation and unity in Christ.  

Should popularity be the goal of the modern church?  

At some point, the modern church appears to have made likeability and popularity one of its main aims. Today, offence and controversy are avoided, and the message is conveyed that the people of God are real, relevant, and no different from everyone else – that any visitor will feel right at home. But do we see a pattern of popularity in the life of Jesus, His disciples and the early church? And should this be our goal?  

How to lead so that we follow the Holy Spirit?   

In this session, Andrew, Luke, and Adam discuss how to be ‘Spirit-led’ in our leadership of the church. Together, they answer the question: How do we as leaders lead so that we follow the Holy Spirit and not ourselves?  

What is ‘Dominion theology’ and its role within Kingdom Now theology?  

We take a closer look at what is referred to as ‘Dominion theology’, a popular doctrine within Kingdom Now theology – the idea that Christians are called to influence and transform society with or without preaching the Gospel.  

Discussions around issues relating to understanding the Kingdom of God.  

What is the Kingdom of God, and how does God demonstrate the Kingdom through the church today? We discuss a range of issues related to ‘How to understand the Kingdom’ as New Testament believers and how it is often misunderstood.  

How should we interpret prophecies, principles, and promises from the Old Testament as New Testament believers?  

The Bible is written by a personal God to unique people and situations. In this session, we take a more detailed look at how we should interpret the prophecies, principles, and promises from the Old Testament as New Testament believers.  

‘Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.’ (1 Peter 5:8)  

In a world that is shifting and changing legislation daily, how do we, as believers, hold fast to Biblical truths whilst living “in the world,” not “of it”? Andrew shares some important keys and wisdom in light of the news of new laws regarding marijuana use in South Africa.  

What can we do in those times when God feels far away? 

We all have times when we feel separated from or forgotten by God, and out of His love. What can we do when we find ourselves in these seasons, and how can we push through into more? Andrew shares his personal keys for navigating times when God feels distant.  

How do we navigate a transition in church leadership? 

A change within church leadership can be very intimidating for many people, but it also presents the potential for growth and health in a church. What kind of changes can you expect if your church goes through a leadership transition, and what can you do to best facilitate the new changes? We put these and other questions to Andrew, who has witnessed many such leadership changes over the years.  

What do we do when we find ourselves in a church where the leader has become a law unto himself?  

For reasons best known to God, He has chosen to administrate His Kingdom on earth through the ministry of fallible men. Over the history of the church, we have witnessed many spectacular implosions when men in influential leadership positions lose their way. So what measures has God put in place to protect His church? What should we do if we find ourselves in a church governed by a leader who has become a law unto himself and gone rogue?  

Scripture says that '…true religion is to care for orphans and widows' (James 1:27). What are the implications for the church of this and many other commands in Scripture to care for the poor? How do we administer this caregiving? Is this the same as the tithe? The modern church is re-examining these issues and appears to be reaching very different conclusions.