You’ve heard the parable:
One sheep wandering away. Ninety-nine stay.
The shepherd goes after it and rejoices when he brings “the one” home.
It’s a great parable and it is part of a much larger teaching from Jesus.
But what happens when the one is the shepherd?
Worse — what if in his fall… one who believes follows him?
Jesus made His warning clear:
“If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a millstone tied around his neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
— Matthew 18:6 – [full Bible Study blog here]
What Most People Miss About This Story
Jesus isn’t just talking about kids (it’s where He starts).
He’s talking about believers—New Christians. He is talking about those who are low in the world or the church and looked down on by people. Dearly loved by Jesus.
That can include ones that fall hard when a pastor does.
A Heavy Moment — Quick Deeper Dive
Jesus starts Matthew 18 talking about a literal child (paidion).
He uses that child as a model of humility — and then shifts to a different category of believers:
“Little ones” (mikros) — defined as “those who believe in Me.”
This isn’t a soft parable. This isn’t a parable at all.
It’s not just a warning to the Church — it’s a warning for those who lead her.
Restoration doesn’t mean excusing sin.
It means we take it seriously.
We gently restore “the one.” And we live out grace.
Why This Matters Now
Because pastors are burning out and falling out.
Because silence is suffocating the Church.
Because sin is being ignored — until it explodes.
It matters because when failure happens:
we either bury it— or we exile the fallen and call it holiness.
None of us are meant to live in isolation—this should be a community of believers.
What This Looks Like in the Real World
- A rural pastor who hasn’t taken a vacation in 4 years.
- A family broken — not just by moral failure, but by isolation that followed.
- A pastor losing the battle — because unconfessed sin grows like cancer.
- A staff pastor afraid to speak up — because the power dynamic was designed to silence.
- A ministry leader struggling in silence — surrounded by others doing the same.
- A worship leader who questioned leadership once… and got fired.
The Deeper Problem for the One
Not all secrets are affairs. Or addictions. Or double lives.
Some are just… silent wars that will erupt.
Right now, there’s a pastor wrestling with doubt.
Another one has temptation that is getting too much attention, and no one knows about it.
There is a confident pastor beginning to believe his own hype which will soon turn into an uncontrollable.
And instead of confessing —
He studies harder. Preaches louder. Builds bigger.
Accuses everyone else of doing the very things he is hiding.
Why?
Because secrets start small and silence is causing many to fall.
Because pastors are taught to carry, not confess.
Because the Church is the place where we destroy our own.
It is hurting the Church. It is hurting your church.
Have you seen the news lately?
High profile Christian leaders are falling because of secrets.
Admittedly, some were wolves hiding in sheep’s clothing all along. Their secrets were built into their motivations.
But others—are afraid to admit they’re human and we can help point to the freedom through Christ and community.
What Happened to Confession?
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
James 5:16
What Anden Ministries Is Building
- A biblical environment for confession — strengthening prayer
- A culture of accountability — with a plan for restoration in the event of a collapse
- A Church that tells the truth — and responds with grace and mercy for real!
We want to train the entire 100 because you never know who becomes “the one.”
Wouldn’t it be great if “the one” was no longer a thing?
Maybe we ignore this because we think it’s “just one.”
It’s not but even if it was, there is a Scripture for that one too.
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.
—Matthew 18:14
Anden Ministries is working to build systems that allow people to speak up — before everything caves in.
Because the one who would fall tomorrow…should’ve confessed yesterday—and standing strong today.
“Miracle Math” Sidebar
I went to write $3,000,000. But the number I wrote was $3,002,001.
An oddly specific number. It just came out of my pen.
I prayed. Then I did the math.
Turns out, the breakdown shows the tithe, the giving, and just under a million retained.
One penny missing. One reminder of who this is for.
The One.
The Ask
I am asking you to believe in the work of Anden Ministries. If you can give financially, please do.
That’s it. I am not going to keep asking and tugging on your heartstrings. Just a simple ask.
If this sounds worth giving toward—then do. That’s it. [DONATE NOW]
Important Note
This is not about covering up failure. This is definitely not about “restoring” abusers or condoning criminal acts.
Sin is sin and there are consequences. There is also grace.
We don’t handle legal issues. We don’t “rebrand” someone who hurt people.
This is about getting to the heart before the sin becomes someone’s identity.
And building churches that know what grace and truth look like — before collapse.
We have all wandered at some point. Who brought you back? Who will you bring back?
How to Give
If you are wondering – Anden Ministries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Online: givebutter.com/Anden
Text: ANDEN to 53-555
Mail:
Anden Ministries c/o Paul McKee
949 Kaipii St
Kailua, HI 96734
Final Word
If you’ve ever watched a shepherd fall and wished someone had reached for them…
If you’ve ever walked away and wondered if anyone noticed…
If you believe restoration belongs to the Church…
If you believe God’s call is irrevocable…
This is the campaign.
This is the covenant.
“The One” Campaign. That Changes Everything.
