The whole mega-church phenom is one mostly of our day, in history it is an aberation to have one man put at the head of thousands of people.
It’s totally unscriptural, and rare is the man that can withstand that level of exaltation without falling. It is almost always a form of man-worship, and few can resist believing the idolization they receive. “Pride cometh before a fall.” It’s a place God never intended any man to have.
Jesus walked away when the crowds wanted to make Him king - he knew the source of the desire in fallen man and would have nothing to do with it. He chose the cross as His place of being exalted, and the exaltation from His heavenly Father - and every man here should follow that example.
Billy Graham never allowed himself to be put in this situation, and focused on his true ministry instead of building a machine that would exalt him. A Christ-like man indeed - as David Wilkerson and many others.
John Piper - a true man of God - is a rarity who demonstrates the life of a humble broken man who stays on his face before God - even admitting how his high position had led him to be tempted with pride.
Oh, for more men of God like these three......
Well, Calvin was the head of the church in the entire city of Geneva and wasn’t immoral....not every Pope has been immoral either.
But on the whole, I think you are right....the temptation for any man in power is great.
Specifically, Billy Graham (and his associates) had a strict policy: Nobody was allowed to be in a room with a woman alone - another person always had to be there. This applied to secretaries and other assistants. They assumed that all men would be subjected to extraordinary temptation.
My church, a small one, has lost at least one pastor in the past because this rule was ignored.
Calvary Chapel with Pastor Coy was the first church I attended after I came to Christ over 25 yrs ago. Just two days ago I was cleaning out some boxes and found cassette tapes from services. Even 25 yrs ago there were a lot of young believers who made Pastor Coy out to be their god. Man isn’t equipped to get the glory that only God deserves and eventually the flesh wins. Prayers for him and his family.