Last Monday, G3 Ministries canceled their conference and suspended some of their ministry activities after it was revealed that founder Josh Buice had lied for three years about running anonymous social media accounts, email addresses, and Substack platforms to slander Christian leaders. This news has deeply discouraged supporters.
G3 gained popularity especially after 2020, attracting thousands to Atlanta with figures like Voddie Baucham, Paul Washer, and Steve Lawson. However, following Lawson’s affair and Buice’s dishonesty, many are questioning what went wrong. Is the problem theological or is it possibly tied to the “conference circuit?” Either way, trust in leadership is at an all-time low.
Some noticed signs of Buice’s troubling behavior early on. Two years ago, I received tips about his possible anonymous accounts, such as “Big Eva Secrets” and “Grant Hawthorne,” though the evidence was circumstantial. These accounts were the least of my concerns. Buice’s personal interactions with me were more unsettling. In 2020, he was dismissive and rude during an introduction, and later, during the Christian Nationalism controversy, he refused to engage in honest conversation. Despite my hopes for G3’s success, his cold and untrusting demeanor raised red flags. I discussed this with mutual friends, who described him as stoic but friendly in their presence. I initially wondered if it was just his personality, but I now see there was a deeper issue of character.
From his anonymous accounts, Buice criticized figures like John MacArthur, Tom Ascol, Voddie Baucham, and Doug Wilson, often accusing them of compromising their principles or seeking personal gain. For Buice, this represented the height of hypocrisy. In the past, he critiqued anonymity as “effeminate,” but was simultaneously using its cover to disparage ministries he viewed as competition.
Every time a Christian “leader” is exposed for sinful behavior it does damage to the body of Christ. Many people are looking for an excuse to blame the faith, the church, and institutions connected to the cause of Christ. These failures in leadership give them ample fuel for their fire. Unfortunately, some under the banner of Christ can’t seem to understand that the only true and righteous One is Christ Himself. He is the standard and when the proper comparison is made, we all fall short.
This, however, does not negate the need for accountability in the church and its associated ministries and entities. All too often integrity is the missing element. Character counts and believers should be striving daily for holiness (2 Cor. 7:1). The response of the G3 board and that of Buice’s church (Prays Mill Baptist Church) indicate that they have done their due diligence up to this point. They have correctly removed Buice from his positions and called for repentance. But the damage is done.
The Josh Buice scandal highlights a critical issue in modern institutions: the scarcity of virtuous leadership in influential roles. In a media-driven world, ambitious individuals adept at crafting a public persona often rise to prominence, projecting what audiences desire while truly virtuous leaders remain at lower levels, sidelined by a system that prioritizes spectacle over substance.
Buice presented himself as a serious, doctrinally rigid Calvinist, but his actions revealed what James 3:13-18 describes as “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” rather than the “pure, peaceable, and gentle” wisdom that should characterize Christian leaders. Evangelicalism’s celebrity culture, amplified by the conference circuit, makes such duplicity easy.
The lessons from this situation are clear. First, our ultimate trust must rest in God, not fallible human leaders. For pastors, contentment with the platform God provides is essential, avoiding selfish ambition and the lure of wealth. The pulpit is a sacred space for glorifying Christ, not a tool for self-promotion. Embracing John the Baptist’s mindset—“I must decrease, He must increase” (John 3:30)—should define their approach. The Apostle Paul lays out the requirements for leaders (pastors/elders) to shepherd the people of God, whether in the local church or in those institutions that profess to build up and encourage the church, in Philippians 2. He charges us, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.”
For lay Christians, the focus should be on supporting local institutions, particularly the local church, where leaders’ character can be observed and vetted. Discernment is crucial when engaging with conferences and ministries; lesser-known leaders may often exhibit greater virtue.
Despite the disappointment of Buice’s actions, there is hope: God is working through faithful, virtuous leaders at the local level. The church’s future hinges on nurturing these pastors who trust God, reject selfish ambition and live transparently for Christ’s glory. By prioritizing local communities and biblical wisdom, Christians can rebuild trust, cultivate authentic godliness, and reduce the likelihood of scandals like Buice’s.
Just recently, I had the privilege of meeting with several former Evangelical Free Church pastors such as Seth Brickley, Jeff Kliewer, and Craig Chambers who left their denomination (or were kicked out) for their stands during the social justice controversy. They are not platform-seeking men, but they do want to honor their Lord. We need more men like this and by God’s grace, He is and will raise them up. They are the future of the church whether they get platformed at conferences or not.
An essential need for the church living in the midst of these dark days is an emphasis on holiness which is notably accompanied by integrity. Those of us who are in leadership must be diligent and serious about the calling God has placed on our lives. The U.S. Air Force has as their core values: “Integrity, service before self, and excellence in all we do.” All churches, their elders, and any organization that claims to represent the cause of Christ would do well to adopt those same values.
May it be so for the Glory of God and the good of His church.
