Many small sparks have been turned into roaring infernos by people who had never been taught to be quiet. Secondly, beyond words, reputations are soiled by hypocritical lifestyles. We are all hypocrites. Still, when we allow people who do not show an earnest longing for Christlikeness to be in visible positions of leadership, we are opening the door to a bad reputation. All of us are sinners.
All sinners deserve grace.
Not all sinners should be in visible leadership. The manner in which we establish standards might vary. The principle is not a variable. The most painful moments in my pastoral years have been precipitated by temporary lapses in this regard. Sometimes, for the sake of grace people were allowed in leadership who did not bear the marks of leadership.