There is no getting around the necessity of the local church or the necessity of leadership in the local church. The Bible itself prescribes them. But it also defines them, and not everything that calls itself Christian leadership in the church is the genuine article.

Therefore, do not follow a man (or a team of leaders) merely because he has gifting, zeal, charisma, or vision-casting abilities.

The rubric for knowing if a man should be shepherding the flock is simple: sound doctrine and a godly life. These are not ambiguous, ethereal or subjective things. They are what 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1 (among other texts) spell out. If a church is healthy, there will be ample opportunities for these characteristics to be seen in the life of a prospective or appointed leader. 

Such was the case with Paul: "You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." (1 Thess. 1.5b)

If a man can't be known in these ways, if he's a "green room personality," if no one knows him apart from an inner-circle of yes-men; if you cannot see that his doctrine is sound, and that, imperfect as he is, he is trustworthy and godly, he should not be leading the church/ministry, nor should you partner with, affirm, or regard him a leader. 

If he and his ministry are so large and move so quickly that none of his co-leaders or congregants have a finger on the pulse of his marriage, his parenting, his personal holiness, his encouragement/discouragement levels, his interactions with the saints, and he cannot be known as a brother, he is already in the danger zone. If he himself is not "a man under authority," (e.g. the authority of the Word, the authority of the local church), then he bears no authority from God himself. Period.

An elder/pastor must remain a brother amongst brothers, though he be a father to many. He must remain a sheep amongst the sheep, though he be a shepherd. The want of this reality has been the seedbed of many a scandal and the cause of a host of moral maladies which belittle the name of God in our cities. Lord, help us! We must return to the main and plain of Scripture when it comes to the fellowship of the saints, and the way in which churches are to be led.

This is fundamental and clear, but the excitement produced (and the selfish-ambition that is titillated) by certain men and their churches/organizations often dupes sincere believers into following them, even to tragic ends. 

These matters are not just ecclesiological preferences, saints. They are matters of life and death for many, matters that pertain to God's very glory, and matters that affect the Church, "which He purchased with His own blood." 

As always, brothers and sisters, let holy Scripture (and all of holy Scripture) be your authority and guide. The Good Shepherd speaks clearly, kindly, and commandingly in its pages. - BA Purtle