The Fall of Michael Tait: Five Things We Can Learn
Three days ago, an explosive, in-depth investigative report was published detailing the years of grooming and abuse allegedly perpetrated by Newsboys and DC Talk singer, Michael Tait. It’s an incredibly thorough and difficult story to read, exposing Tait as a manipulative and destructive monster. While it’s possible the report overstates some things or misses other important details, it seems pretty evident the case it presents is accurate and damning.
We are not here to pile on, shed more light on the situation, or to call into question the veracity of the claims. That is not our focus or area of expertise. Based on the evidence presented, Michael Tait has lived a double life for decades. And in that time, he has taken advantage of and hurt many people. He is not the first nor will he be the last celebrity Christian to fall in such a manner. It is a story that has been repeated too many times to count at this point. It is a sad reality of the fallen world in which we live.
So, what do we do with this? Is it enough to condemn the behavior and move on? What should our response be when things like this happen? This is not meant to be comprehensive, or even to address some very important aspects about this story, but here are five lessons we can and should learn from this latest fall from grace.
There But for the Grace of God Go I
If you believe you are above this sort of thing, you are walking a very dangerous road. We are all capable of great wickedness and evil. Perhaps our sin will not take the form of Tait’s alleged abuse, but we each have it in us to sin and to sin with far-reaching destructive power. Be grateful if God has protected you from such a public fall. And stay ever vigilant and humble.
Pride Goes Before the Fall
It is clear, when reading the report, Tait believed himself to be above the rules of regular people. God’s moral and righteous law did not apply to him or to his behavior. He had built a career which afforded him power and control over others. Instead of using that power with gentleness, respect, and humility, he twisted and distorted it to satisfy the lust of his flesh. As Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Guard your heart from pride. Do not let it take root. Stamp it out and keep your heart humble before God.
Cast Down Your Idols
Stop idolizing celebrities, even the “Christian” ones. They are broken and fallen people, just like the rest of us. Do not put them on a pedestal. Do not give them spiritual power in your life, not matter how together they seem to have things. At their best, Christian celebrities can be good people, doing the best they can to live holy and blameless. Even so, they are fallible people, prone to wandering. At their worst, they are charlatans and deceivers, building wealth and power by using the name of the Lord in vain. Neither deserve idolization. Neither deserve worship.
Accountability is Non-negotiable
It is possible for someone to live a double life that is so secret and so well hidden that when it comes to light, even their closest friends and family are shocked by the revelations. Possible, yet highly improbable. It is incredibly unlikely that Tait had a strong accountability support system in place. If the reports are true, rumors of Tait’s abuses had been circulating in the music industry for years. If he did have a support system in place, he was deeply dishonest with them and many people failed to hold him accountable or to protect innocent people from being hurt.
Surround yourself with like-minded people who are 100% honest with you, even if it hurts. Be 100% honest with them about your life, warts and all. If you ever find yourself in a position of power, where you have no one to answer to, proceed with extreme caution. Your position is dangerously vulnerable to corruption and hidden sins. Do not let too many days pass before you find someone who can hold your feet to the fire of accountability.
Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out
Your sin will come to light. Even if you believe you are hiding it better than anyone has before, it will come to the surface. It will be exposed. Perhaps the full reckoning will happen after you are dead and gone, much like it did with Ravi Zacharias, but know that the reckoning will happen in this life or the next. Your legacy will be destroyed, and your loved ones will be left to pick up the pieces of your broken and dishonest life. No sin stays hidden forever. Live a life fully devoted to God. Don’t let sin fester and grow in your heart. Take it to Jesus and leave it at the foot of the cross.
Final Thoughts
Our prayer is for healing and restoration for everyone involved in this tragic story, Michael Tait included. It seems clear that there will be more to this story and perhaps more revelations about the Christian music industry as a whole. More awful news is probably around the corner. It will be very natural to grow very angry about all of this. Righteous indignation is a good thing. We should be angry when we read these sorts of stories.
But don’t let our response end in anger. Let these stories send us running to the feet of Jesus. Let us cling to our Savior, knowing that without Him we are capable of great evil as well. Let us seek the Kingdom of God first. Let us offer mercy, grace, and forgiveness, knowing how desperately we need them every day. Let us remain humble, meek, gentle, and fully transparent in all our actions. Sin is crouching at our door, let us keep the door firmly shut.
- The Fall of Michael Tait:Five Things We Can Learn - June 7, 2025
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This one hit me hard….for a lot of reasons, of which I’m still not certain of all of them. So I may have more comments after I process this.
I had a lady tell me, while she was here in Jamaica on a mission trip, that Tait was doing exactly what was described in the report. And she told me this in 2019. She also said it was common knowledge among the CCM industry. I didn’t think much of it then. But man, I understand a little clearer why people read about these fallings and walk away from church. I texted Gowdy on Thursday night that I was listening to Andrew P, Michael Card, and Rich from here on it, and that’s it!
Having worked as a licensed California therapist (both on church staff and starting a counseling center) for over forty years, there has been no shortage of situations involving pastors and church leaders abusing the vulnerable. As Bryan Duncan sings, “we all need the redeeming love of Jesus”.
There needs to be a spiritual life accountability organization like there is financial for Christian organizations — EFCA. Only those who participate get a seal or recommendation.
I am so saddened by these revelations. I admit I wondered why he never married. I suspected he had a same sex attraction and he was not acting on it. Thank you for your comments.