I have never been spit on. I know some however that have been. And the Bible is FULL of events and situations where prophets were more than spit upon. Murdered, beheaded, crucified and left in the pit for dead.
Since many of those acts are no longer "Popular" or legal, the modern prophet is spit upon in other ways:
Today the spit is to criticize as a false prophet, or trump the word of the Lord by saying, "I can hear from the Holy Spirit as well as you can". That's OK, we are supposed to judge prophecy. Some prophecy is just pizza. Some is illusion. Some is weird. That is fully judge-able. What becomes more difficult are those who despise prophecy because it interferes with their world view, lifestyle choices and their blatant disobedience (sin).
I am particularly concerned about leaders who lead their people astray by speaking in favor of ungodly agenda because it fits prejudices they have. Right now there is a statement signed onto by many people who consider themselves christians in opposing the Trump administration. No matter what your views and opinions are on our President, you are free to express them unless that expression contains in large part ungodly lies, actions, half truths and open rebellion against GOD (not man). This statement signed on to by many is filled with darkness. Those who are in leadership who have signed on to this will be called to account.
This is what causes prophets to be spat upon. When the backslidden are called to account and warned, they react as if I were the one warning them. They treat it like I am cursing them. NO, a thousand times NO, I am not the one warning you, I am by the spirit of the God hearing the warning bells going off.. not in a good way. So their rather violent reaction to my warning is actually a reaction against God's correction. If they didn't know that it was correction it wouldn't bother them so much.
There are some people who will not repent, who will reject the warnings, who will continue and they will be sidelined or worse. I no longer will deal with them. Most have excluded themselves. They have lots of Bible Bullets to shoot at any such warning. It is to the few who will hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying that I appeal to.
HEAR HIM.. not me. Even if you believe you hear from God and believe you are doing right, most fornicators in the Church of Jesus will pray before committing adultery or fornicate and think that they are being Godly.
That is taking the name of the Lord in Vain and that is another issue for another day.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Sunday, February 12, 2017
The Civil War in the Spirit
I have been disturbed in the spirit about the deep divisions in our nation. About the insane protests going on. About many elected people becoming so unhinged and trying to stop everything. About the seemingly never ending anger over the last election. Something didn't seem right. It didn't seem to line up with what we know. I have been seeking the Lord. Here's what I heard:
""There has been a renewed demonic spirit released in the land. It's the opposite reaction to what I am doing. It is being driven by people the enemy has assigned to foment disruption to my purposes. There are people sold out to his "Kill, Steal and Destroy" agenda. Many you even know the names of are behind the scenes are endorsing, funding and supporting these actions. Those you see in public are not the ones who are so engaged. I am exposing and turning upside down and inside out an antichrist agenda that has been distorting the culture for evil purposes. There is a deceived populace even many who call on me as Lord. My people must stand against this, must pray, must repent, must find new hope in ME. Those who are in the background as the puppet masters will be exposed. I will have MY way. Do not compromise with evil. Like Haman they have already built the scaffold upon which their godless agenda will be exterminated. They are my enemies and your enemies. I want to redeem those who have been compromised from the destruction that awaits them. Righteousness will prevail. I have used the weakest and those who do not claim righteousness of their own and are judged as unrighteous to demonstrate the truth of Balaam's rebuke. I can use even an ass to change a culture. My desire is to bless and prosper my people but first the restrainer must be removed. Watch and see my hand in the days to come. It will be a hard time and you must stay strong, stay encouraged, stay fearless, the battle will rage .. but the enemy must be pushed back from the ground he has taken. Set up your Ebenezer stone and say. THUS FAR THE LORD HA BROUGHT US. Stand against those who try to move your stone.""
Take comfort in the word of the Lord.
""There has been a renewed demonic spirit released in the land. It's the opposite reaction to what I am doing. It is being driven by people the enemy has assigned to foment disruption to my purposes. There are people sold out to his "Kill, Steal and Destroy" agenda. Many you even know the names of are behind the scenes are endorsing, funding and supporting these actions. Those you see in public are not the ones who are so engaged. I am exposing and turning upside down and inside out an antichrist agenda that has been distorting the culture for evil purposes. There is a deceived populace even many who call on me as Lord. My people must stand against this, must pray, must repent, must find new hope in ME. Those who are in the background as the puppet masters will be exposed. I will have MY way. Do not compromise with evil. Like Haman they have already built the scaffold upon which their godless agenda will be exterminated. They are my enemies and your enemies. I want to redeem those who have been compromised from the destruction that awaits them. Righteousness will prevail. I have used the weakest and those who do not claim righteousness of their own and are judged as unrighteous to demonstrate the truth of Balaam's rebuke. I can use even an ass to change a culture. My desire is to bless and prosper my people but first the restrainer must be removed. Watch and see my hand in the days to come. It will be a hard time and you must stay strong, stay encouraged, stay fearless, the battle will rage .. but the enemy must be pushed back from the ground he has taken. Set up your Ebenezer stone and say. THUS FAR THE LORD HA BROUGHT US. Stand against those who try to move your stone.""
Take comfort in the word of the Lord.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
Jesus tells us to IGNORE certain Apostles, Prophets and Senior Leaders
Jesus spoke out against the leadership of the Pharisees. They were leading people into false religiosity His words ring true today as well. We are now once more at that place. We have a whole new crop of parasitic pharisees.
How did JESUS deal with them?
Matthew 15 New Living Translation
How did JESUS deal with them?
Matthew 15 New Living Translation
1Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked him, 2“Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition? For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.”3Jesus replied, “And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God? 4For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’a and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’b 5But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ 6In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents.c And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition. 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote,8‘These people honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me.9Their worship is a farce,for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’d”10Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”12Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you realize you offended the Pharisees by what you just said?”13Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, 14so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.”15Then Peter said to Jesus, “Explain to us the parable that says people aren’t defiled by what they eat.”16“Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. 17“Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
Read carefully, for we have many so called Pastors, Leaders and Apostles who are doing exactly what the Pharisees did in Jesus day. They are blind and those who follow them are led into a ditch.
What is at the bottom of that ditch?
- Fear
- Anger
- Conspiracies
- Lies
- Vain Imaginations
- Victimized ideas
- Old wives tales
- Speculation
- False Teachings
- Taking Offense at every turn
- Unrighteous indignation
- Passionate diatribe against fictitious enemies
There are many who hold themselves up as so called apostles who are leading people into perdition. Many so called prophets who have no voice of their own. They are led into the ditch to die.
The answer to this is to do as Jesus said.... Ignore them. And encourage others to do the same. They will not change. They will not reform. The passion and anger they possess is their calling card. Indignation and offense is their "Ministry". We as leaders in the Church of Jesus must do our level best to offer a counter to the falsehoods, call them out when they are propagated and isolate the purveyors of these things.
I am concerned about the Body of Christ. It's my prophetic job. The venom being generated right now is wounding many by the false doctrines being taught. I'm not talking about biblical doctrine. I'm talking about doctrines of devils. Doctrine is defined by the dictionary as: A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.
I could in this post name some names. Many of those who I know that are in this category think they are doing the will of God. They are not. God's kingdom is not made of of division. Unity in the spirit must be foremost.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 16 warned them of the fruits of division:
17 Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
The God of Peace must rule your hearts and minds. Whenever you are in doubt of the teaching and leadership you find, ask yourself this question, Do I have MORE or LESS peace as a result of this teaching. If you want to allow the God of Peace to crush satan under your feet... you must get away from the destroyer who are so called apostles and prophets of this age who do the opposite.
God did not give you a spirit of fear and if someone is.. they are the ones Jesus is against
Sunday, February 5, 2017
Lance Wallnau: "5777: The Year Of The Clashing Of Swords!" Lance Wallnau Oct 19, 2016
A few days before the Election of Donald Trump in November, Lance Wallnau made this proclamation. I didn't deal with it then. I have been careful since he declared Trump to be a Cyrus. Yet, now a few months into this, it is making sense. Some prophecy is best understood in a rear view mirror.
We Have An Assignment - To Save This Nation!
God is doing something in this season...
Passion is a strange phenomenon. Less than 48 hours (at the time of this writing) I sat in my hotel room in Jerusalem. I took a break from training that I was doing with First Ladies, Diplomats, and members of the House Lords—all amidst terrorist attacks happening around me that left 5 wounded and 2 dead.
As I flipped on the internet and took in the current news about America I could not help but get all fired up! The devil is bent on dismantling the Christian vote in 2016 and Pastors and conservative leaders are themselves defecting from the battle. It's madness!
Did you know evangelicals make up 27% of registered voters? Add devout Catholics and it is 37%! Together we are the largest, most vibrant, and most dynamic single constituency in the electorate today; a larger force than the Latino, the African-American, and all Unions combined.
BUT nearly 14 million of us are thinking of sitting this election out!
I grabbed my cell phone and recorded a live video rant to address this. In less than 48 hours that video is nearing 3 million views (now it's over 3.5 million views)!
My friend, God is doing something in this season. You and I have an assignment to save this Nation!
Before flying out of Jerusalem, I filled in for Chuck Pierce who could not attend the Jerusalem gathering. He was supposed to speak for Yom Kippur, and reveal the meaning of the New Hebrew Year 5777. This forced me to do some thinking. The Rabbis teach that Yom Kippur is the day that "God looks at us" and makes judgments and decisions for the coming year at Yom Kippur.
The Clashing of Heaven and Hell
As I prayed for you, my children, our nation, this election, and the course of America, something struck me about the significance of this new year, 5777. There are three "7's" in this Jewish new year. Interestingly, the number "7" in Hebrew is the letter "zayin" which represents both the number "7" and the word "sword."
What we are looking at in 5777 is: "The year of supernatural grace (5) to engage the clashing of swords (7)."
The clashing of Heaven and Hell will show up in the conflict of ideologies. This collision of kingdoms has already started.
Someone gave me a prophetic word today that proclaimed, "There are spirits being dispatched to put blindfolds on the minds of Christians." We are so easily manipulated through media mind control: sound bites, talking heads, and an onslaught of progressive liberal ideologies baked into our entertainment.
"Zayin" means more than just "sword" or "weapon." It also connects with a modern Hebrew word "mazon," meaning "food" or "sustenance," and "nourishment," both coming from the same root as Zayin.
ElijahList Prophetic Resources
5777 is the year of the clashing of swords! We are taking on giants just like the children of Israel did. I choose to believe what Caleb said in Numbers 14:9, "Do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them."
Caleb saw the giants in the land not as obstacles but as bread. I believe that as you take on your giants and defeat them they will become nourishment for you! What you bow to will increase your bondage but what you overcome will increase your power!
Feed Your Spirit
The enemy will be bread for you IF YOU FEED YOUR SPIRIT on the Word of God. Jesus says in Matthew 4:4: "But He (Jesus) answered and said, it is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
The Word of God, is the bread you eat that becomes a sword in your mouth! In this new year, 5777, God will open up His Word to you and reveal a "sword" in the Scripture! When you see it—grab it.
Speak what God gives you. Prophesy and proclaim what you see. Expect your utterance to authorize angelic activity through your prayers!
We Have An Assignment - To Save This Nation!
God is doing something in this season...
Passion is a strange phenomenon. Less than 48 hours (at the time of this writing) I sat in my hotel room in Jerusalem. I took a break from training that I was doing with First Ladies, Diplomats, and members of the House Lords—all amidst terrorist attacks happening around me that left 5 wounded and 2 dead.
As I flipped on the internet and took in the current news about America I could not help but get all fired up! The devil is bent on dismantling the Christian vote in 2016 and Pastors and conservative leaders are themselves defecting from the battle. It's madness!
Did you know evangelicals make up 27% of registered voters? Add devout Catholics and it is 37%! Together we are the largest, most vibrant, and most dynamic single constituency in the electorate today; a larger force than the Latino, the African-American, and all Unions combined.
BUT nearly 14 million of us are thinking of sitting this election out!
I grabbed my cell phone and recorded a live video rant to address this. In less than 48 hours that video is nearing 3 million views (now it's over 3.5 million views)!
My friend, God is doing something in this season. You and I have an assignment to save this Nation!
Before flying out of Jerusalem, I filled in for Chuck Pierce who could not attend the Jerusalem gathering. He was supposed to speak for Yom Kippur, and reveal the meaning of the New Hebrew Year 5777. This forced me to do some thinking. The Rabbis teach that Yom Kippur is the day that "God looks at us" and makes judgments and decisions for the coming year at Yom Kippur.
The Clashing of Heaven and Hell
As I prayed for you, my children, our nation, this election, and the course of America, something struck me about the significance of this new year, 5777. There are three "7's" in this Jewish new year. Interestingly, the number "7" in Hebrew is the letter "zayin" which represents both the number "7" and the word "sword."
What we are looking at in 5777 is: "The year of supernatural grace (5) to engage the clashing of swords (7)."
The clashing of Heaven and Hell will show up in the conflict of ideologies. This collision of kingdoms has already started.
Someone gave me a prophetic word today that proclaimed, "There are spirits being dispatched to put blindfolds on the minds of Christians." We are so easily manipulated through media mind control: sound bites, talking heads, and an onslaught of progressive liberal ideologies baked into our entertainment.
"Zayin" means more than just "sword" or "weapon." It also connects with a modern Hebrew word "mazon," meaning "food" or "sustenance," and "nourishment," both coming from the same root as Zayin.
ElijahList Prophetic Resources
5777 is the year of the clashing of swords! We are taking on giants just like the children of Israel did. I choose to believe what Caleb said in Numbers 14:9, "Do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them."
Caleb saw the giants in the land not as obstacles but as bread. I believe that as you take on your giants and defeat them they will become nourishment for you! What you bow to will increase your bondage but what you overcome will increase your power!
Feed Your Spirit
The enemy will be bread for you IF YOU FEED YOUR SPIRIT on the Word of God. Jesus says in Matthew 4:4: "But He (Jesus) answered and said, it is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
The Word of God, is the bread you eat that becomes a sword in your mouth! In this new year, 5777, God will open up His Word to you and reveal a "sword" in the Scripture! When you see it—grab it.
Speak what God gives you. Prophesy and proclaim what you see. Expect your utterance to authorize angelic activity through your prayers!
Senior Leaders Dangerous to the Kingdom
As a prophet it is my responsibility to identify and call out those abusing the Body of Christ. A calling as a watchman, a guardian and in a way a shepherd of the sheep. I do not confront directly those who are identified. There are however names and addresses for all of these. There is serious problems in the Body of Christ and His Church that must be dealt with. To deal with them first takes identification. For the most part I use the Personal Pronoun HE, but it can be a he or a she. Here are those categories:
The Conspiracy Driven leader
This person is always looking under the bed, behind the curtain and around the corner for grand conspiracies. It's not wrong to be vigilant, it is wrong to instill fear and anger in people for the purposes of continuing your own ministry. This is not just a right or left wing situation. This is a case of telling half truths, lies and fabrications to get people to follow you. I know of many in this boat. I don't know how a person can correct them. They are so passionate. They speak with such authority.. except it's all fabricated. They must ultimately be humiliated. They must be defamed. That won't be by a prophet, I can only warn those who find themselves under the teaching or direction of one such to advise them to RUN. They will fill you with so many lies you will die in the pain. When your senior leader is telling you they are all against you, it's a government conspiracy and you are a victim, look out. God puts one up and another down. At some point they will be exposed for the charlatans of deceptions they are by God himself. Of course in the mean time they will have destroyed lives in fear. If your leaders admonitions are strange sounding, alarmist and he keeps telling you that he knows, he looked it up, he has documentation, he is privy to special knowledge; he's a fraud. Even if it's convenient to accept, if it's a fabrication it will put you in chains. Receive a lie and it will put you in chains. Break free from this trap.
The "Business Opportunity" Leader
The worst case of this I ever saw was a pastor in River Falls Wisconsin. He had a thriving church of 500 people. Someone seduced him into a Multi Level Marketing scheme that he became convinced was the answer to all things. His evangelism shifted from "Jesus Saves" to MLM (There became many).
Some people bought into the program, particularly those who were new in the faith. Many less gullible drifted away. In two years he had destroyed the work God had given him. People's lives who had invested themselves in these schemes were impoverished and in some cases bankrupted. He was shamed and left the ministry. That good church destroyed by greed. I wish I could report that was an isolated incident. It's not. There are several churches in the Chicago area who are trapped in this cycle of next MLM. Those leaders do not so much have a flock they lead to Jesus, but a bunch of sheep they lead to slaughter via the next failed scheme. Some that I know are on their 15th MLM in the last 5 years. No one makes any money to speak except the guy in their up-line - Pastor or Apostle BullSpit. The sermons get to be more about keeping people in the down line and less about helping them reach their destiny in God. Altar calls are designed to create dependence. People's lives are less because they are given false hope in an ungodly scheme. The Kingdom of God is diminished.
The Racial Identity Political Champion Leader
This can be white, black, Indian, Korean or any number of iterations. Of course a Spanish speaking church will often not be helpful if you don't speak Spanish. Same with other languages. Yet, the capacity of a Church to reach outside it's racial configuration requires a leader with a larger vision. Many traditional white or black congregations are so targeted to their ethnic base it is impossible nearly for someone outside of that racial identity to come in. Many people think they would LIKE to be multicultural but they demonstrate a lack of tolerance and love towards those who are not like them. This comes from the top. It comes because it's easy to keep people in the club if they look just like you, act just like you, believe what you believe culturally and share cultural worldviews. This is not as it should be. We should be KINGDOM.. but we're not. We are racial identity divided. Our politics excludes people. If a leader is not ready to demonstrate his love towards all, the members will not as well. You can spot this when a leader uses his platform to spank the "Not Like Us" attendees, or uses cultural code words to keep them separate. I have seen this on the right, left, black, white, American Indian, Spanish Speaking and Korean churches. It's wrong when it flows down from the head. If you find yourself isolated from others because of this.. it's time to leave.
The "It's My Job" Leader
This is a hireling. In many churches of cold dead denominations this is the guy who knows all the motions to go thru. He has a book of liturgy. He knows how to open with prayer, close with a song and read his warmed over (sometimes rented) sermon to you. Most of the time his prime interest is in keeping his job. He won't take a risk. He works on behalf of a board. He is uninspired and uninspiring. It is questionable if he knows God at all. He knows the Bible some, but he doesn't' know HIM. He can't help you, he can't help himself. Walk away. If you are in this place, you know this already. You probably are staying there because your mom or dad was there at one time. You know this guy by the number of times he calls on the 23rd Psalm and the Lords Prayer in a crisis. Zero fresh manna from heaven.
The Leveraging on Wealthy Members Leader
I know of far too many like this. Usually a denominational church. One or two very wealthy influential families make up the bulk of economic and positional contributions. It's their own private enterprise. The leader pastor simply walks the walk to not get fired. They can LOOK like prosperous churches but they are driven and dominated by big money from the chosen few. The big contributors are the elders or senior board members. Little attention is paid to their ability or understanding. I know of one church that was indirectly led by a family famous in recycling and waste pick up. Became a BIG church. Lots of programs.. but when the pastor asked a few hard questions he was out on his ear. That happened a few times and the church died. We are all equal at the cross even if we have more money than the others. It is my sincere belief that a Pastor should NOT know how much his members contribute. Not even a hint. That Pastor should love on and lead with a pure heart. Money does not allow for that. No leader can remain independent of the influence of big money ... even if he is deceived into thinking he can. Most Pastors think they can handle this.. they can't. Having great wealth is not a spiritual gift.
The Narrow Focus to Exclusion Leader (Cultist)
Any church built on a single focus to the exclusion of all others is subject to deception and ultimately becomes a cult. We have heard of how the Scientologists segregate their members and shun those who leave the cult. That would be great if that's were all there are. Yet in the Church World there are many churchy expressions that become cultish because of a narrow focus. It might be end times prophecy, it could be deliverance from demonic influence, it could be all prayer all the time, it could be prophecy, it might be evangelism only, it might be manifestation of charismatic gifting, it might be all teaching all the time, it might be prosperity without bounds, it might be positive confession, it might be fasting it can also be overemphasis on good works or sacraments it can even be healing. There are probably a hundred other ways excess takes place. It's not to say anyone of them are wrong.. but balance is the key. There are 5 graces listed in Ephesians 4. There are 9 Giftings in 1 Corinthians 12. There are other identifiable spiritual propensities all thru the Bible. When a senior leader begins to concentrate on a single area to the exclusion of all others and thinks he has some insight into that better than others, he is a cult leader. Balance matters. Look for balance.
The "MY KINGDOM COME" leader
This leader is easy to spot. He is not building people, he's building a kingdom. Big buildings, big cars, big houses, big living and that takes big money extracted from the members with guilt, shame and religious pressure. When the offering sermon is longer than the word he is bringing you know you are in the presence of a "My Kingdom Come" leader. These are pirates dressed up as apostolic leaders. They will quote the dozen or so bible verses you hear all the time to justify their piracy. They give the Kingdom of God a bad name. They have to be exposed. They are pimping the people for their own gain. The opposite of that is the leader who lives in the same house, same car, parks in the same place away from the door and eschews any privilege. I have known a few, but too few. The first clue is the sign right next to the best parking spot, "Reserved for Apostle Bigshot". The truth is the most spiritual parking sites are the furthest from the door. These pirates operate in double anointing during tax refund season. Get away while you still have a nickle in your pocket.
The "Airplane is my Second Home" Leader
This senior leader is not so much dangerous as absent from the people he is to serve. It becomes a question why they have a church at which they are essentially only Guest Speaker. Sometimes this is because of an unusual anointing and ability they have come into demand on the global stage. You can't serve two masters. Someone will get hurt. This needs to be decided soon.
I will never forget once when Benny Hinn was in Chicago and a few dozen megachurch leaders where on the front row. People were brought up for prayer. They were asked which church they attended. What was shocking (I was there and saw it) was when people said they were members at this or that mega church and the senior leader was there, he had no idea who they were. I'll grant you, some were making it up, but in a few cases I knew, they were hurt, that the man who had been their senior pastor for many years had no idea who they were. They had followed, given and been loyal in service but they were less than a name or a face to the senior leader. Instead of tending the sheep, he was flying here or there on speaking engagements. There comes a time to decide what the call of God is on your life and follow that lead. I exclude my Apostle who seems to be able to handle this pretty well, but how he does it I don't know. Worse, may who think they want to be like him... FAIL.
The Leader Known as "Apostle Know it All"
There are some leaders who tolerate no doctrinal deviation from members. Everyone must believe precisely what the leader believes without question. Jim Jones. There is not an anointed call so much as the requirement to fall in line. The attitude is "I Know and YOU DON'T". It's dangerous and can cause many to feel left out. It's good to be well versed, it's better to be on a firm foundation, but to not hear others out, even to help them get their doctrine right is false leadership. Jesus didn't do that. The woman at the well was messed up in her theology. So was Nicodemus. But Jesus gently without pedantry helped them come into truth. So should we. The worst are those with "degrees" ending in DIV. They are know-it-alls about what they think they know but don't. Arrogance born of ignorance or half knowledge keeps the saints in the dark. Leaders must set people free to ask questions without fear.
The Ignorant Leader who Doesn't Know He or She is Ignorant
This is the senior leader who is so ignorant he gets his sermons from the Internet. He cannot read and preach from his understanding because he has none. He uses fake emotion and strange fire to pretend to preach strong, but without the cliches and badly borrowed text he would be lost. He has not earned the right to stand before others and preach the word. I'm not talking about young or inexperience, I'm talking about lazy and ignorant. Too many times a badly told joke, a fishing story or a bible verse that isn't there becomes the basis for bad preaching. I actually heard one such say in sincerely "Today let us understand the Verse that says "God Helps Those who Help Themselves". It's painful and they must earn the right to pay the price to stand before others with confidence and authority. It's not about reading someone else's book and trying to preach from it, it's not about getting on some christian blog and changing up some words for your sermon. It's about knowing the AUTHOR of the Bible you preach from. If you find yourself under one of these folks, help them, if they won't listen. Leave.
The Conspiracy Driven leader
This person is always looking under the bed, behind the curtain and around the corner for grand conspiracies. It's not wrong to be vigilant, it is wrong to instill fear and anger in people for the purposes of continuing your own ministry. This is not just a right or left wing situation. This is a case of telling half truths, lies and fabrications to get people to follow you. I know of many in this boat. I don't know how a person can correct them. They are so passionate. They speak with such authority.. except it's all fabricated. They must ultimately be humiliated. They must be defamed. That won't be by a prophet, I can only warn those who find themselves under the teaching or direction of one such to advise them to RUN. They will fill you with so many lies you will die in the pain. When your senior leader is telling you they are all against you, it's a government conspiracy and you are a victim, look out. God puts one up and another down. At some point they will be exposed for the charlatans of deceptions they are by God himself. Of course in the mean time they will have destroyed lives in fear. If your leaders admonitions are strange sounding, alarmist and he keeps telling you that he knows, he looked it up, he has documentation, he is privy to special knowledge; he's a fraud. Even if it's convenient to accept, if it's a fabrication it will put you in chains. Receive a lie and it will put you in chains. Break free from this trap.
The "Business Opportunity" Leader
The worst case of this I ever saw was a pastor in River Falls Wisconsin. He had a thriving church of 500 people. Someone seduced him into a Multi Level Marketing scheme that he became convinced was the answer to all things. His evangelism shifted from "Jesus Saves" to MLM (There became many).
Some people bought into the program, particularly those who were new in the faith. Many less gullible drifted away. In two years he had destroyed the work God had given him. People's lives who had invested themselves in these schemes were impoverished and in some cases bankrupted. He was shamed and left the ministry. That good church destroyed by greed. I wish I could report that was an isolated incident. It's not. There are several churches in the Chicago area who are trapped in this cycle of next MLM. Those leaders do not so much have a flock they lead to Jesus, but a bunch of sheep they lead to slaughter via the next failed scheme. Some that I know are on their 15th MLM in the last 5 years. No one makes any money to speak except the guy in their up-line - Pastor or Apostle BullSpit. The sermons get to be more about keeping people in the down line and less about helping them reach their destiny in God. Altar calls are designed to create dependence. People's lives are less because they are given false hope in an ungodly scheme. The Kingdom of God is diminished.
The Racial Identity Political Champion Leader
This can be white, black, Indian, Korean or any number of iterations. Of course a Spanish speaking church will often not be helpful if you don't speak Spanish. Same with other languages. Yet, the capacity of a Church to reach outside it's racial configuration requires a leader with a larger vision. Many traditional white or black congregations are so targeted to their ethnic base it is impossible nearly for someone outside of that racial identity to come in. Many people think they would LIKE to be multicultural but they demonstrate a lack of tolerance and love towards those who are not like them. This comes from the top. It comes because it's easy to keep people in the club if they look just like you, act just like you, believe what you believe culturally and share cultural worldviews. This is not as it should be. We should be KINGDOM.. but we're not. We are racial identity divided. Our politics excludes people. If a leader is not ready to demonstrate his love towards all, the members will not as well. You can spot this when a leader uses his platform to spank the "Not Like Us" attendees, or uses cultural code words to keep them separate. I have seen this on the right, left, black, white, American Indian, Spanish Speaking and Korean churches. It's wrong when it flows down from the head. If you find yourself isolated from others because of this.. it's time to leave.
The "It's My Job" Leader
This is a hireling. In many churches of cold dead denominations this is the guy who knows all the motions to go thru. He has a book of liturgy. He knows how to open with prayer, close with a song and read his warmed over (sometimes rented) sermon to you. Most of the time his prime interest is in keeping his job. He won't take a risk. He works on behalf of a board. He is uninspired and uninspiring. It is questionable if he knows God at all. He knows the Bible some, but he doesn't' know HIM. He can't help you, he can't help himself. Walk away. If you are in this place, you know this already. You probably are staying there because your mom or dad was there at one time. You know this guy by the number of times he calls on the 23rd Psalm and the Lords Prayer in a crisis. Zero fresh manna from heaven.
The Leveraging on Wealthy Members Leader
I know of far too many like this. Usually a denominational church. One or two very wealthy influential families make up the bulk of economic and positional contributions. It's their own private enterprise. The leader pastor simply walks the walk to not get fired. They can LOOK like prosperous churches but they are driven and dominated by big money from the chosen few. The big contributors are the elders or senior board members. Little attention is paid to their ability or understanding. I know of one church that was indirectly led by a family famous in recycling and waste pick up. Became a BIG church. Lots of programs.. but when the pastor asked a few hard questions he was out on his ear. That happened a few times and the church died. We are all equal at the cross even if we have more money than the others. It is my sincere belief that a Pastor should NOT know how much his members contribute. Not even a hint. That Pastor should love on and lead with a pure heart. Money does not allow for that. No leader can remain independent of the influence of big money ... even if he is deceived into thinking he can. Most Pastors think they can handle this.. they can't. Having great wealth is not a spiritual gift.
The Narrow Focus to Exclusion Leader (Cultist)
Any church built on a single focus to the exclusion of all others is subject to deception and ultimately becomes a cult. We have heard of how the Scientologists segregate their members and shun those who leave the cult. That would be great if that's were all there are. Yet in the Church World there are many churchy expressions that become cultish because of a narrow focus. It might be end times prophecy, it could be deliverance from demonic influence, it could be all prayer all the time, it could be prophecy, it might be evangelism only, it might be manifestation of charismatic gifting, it might be all teaching all the time, it might be prosperity without bounds, it might be positive confession, it might be fasting it can also be overemphasis on good works or sacraments it can even be healing. There are probably a hundred other ways excess takes place. It's not to say anyone of them are wrong.. but balance is the key. There are 5 graces listed in Ephesians 4. There are 9 Giftings in 1 Corinthians 12. There are other identifiable spiritual propensities all thru the Bible. When a senior leader begins to concentrate on a single area to the exclusion of all others and thinks he has some insight into that better than others, he is a cult leader. Balance matters. Look for balance.
The "MY KINGDOM COME" leader
This leader is easy to spot. He is not building people, he's building a kingdom. Big buildings, big cars, big houses, big living and that takes big money extracted from the members with guilt, shame and religious pressure. When the offering sermon is longer than the word he is bringing you know you are in the presence of a "My Kingdom Come" leader. These are pirates dressed up as apostolic leaders. They will quote the dozen or so bible verses you hear all the time to justify their piracy. They give the Kingdom of God a bad name. They have to be exposed. They are pimping the people for their own gain. The opposite of that is the leader who lives in the same house, same car, parks in the same place away from the door and eschews any privilege. I have known a few, but too few. The first clue is the sign right next to the best parking spot, "Reserved for Apostle Bigshot". The truth is the most spiritual parking sites are the furthest from the door. These pirates operate in double anointing during tax refund season. Get away while you still have a nickle in your pocket.
The "Airplane is my Second Home" Leader
This senior leader is not so much dangerous as absent from the people he is to serve. It becomes a question why they have a church at which they are essentially only Guest Speaker. Sometimes this is because of an unusual anointing and ability they have come into demand on the global stage. You can't serve two masters. Someone will get hurt. This needs to be decided soon.
I will never forget once when Benny Hinn was in Chicago and a few dozen megachurch leaders where on the front row. People were brought up for prayer. They were asked which church they attended. What was shocking (I was there and saw it) was when people said they were members at this or that mega church and the senior leader was there, he had no idea who they were. I'll grant you, some were making it up, but in a few cases I knew, they were hurt, that the man who had been their senior pastor for many years had no idea who they were. They had followed, given and been loyal in service but they were less than a name or a face to the senior leader. Instead of tending the sheep, he was flying here or there on speaking engagements. There comes a time to decide what the call of God is on your life and follow that lead. I exclude my Apostle who seems to be able to handle this pretty well, but how he does it I don't know. Worse, may who think they want to be like him... FAIL.
The Leader Known as "Apostle Know it All"
There are some leaders who tolerate no doctrinal deviation from members. Everyone must believe precisely what the leader believes without question. Jim Jones. There is not an anointed call so much as the requirement to fall in line. The attitude is "I Know and YOU DON'T". It's dangerous and can cause many to feel left out. It's good to be well versed, it's better to be on a firm foundation, but to not hear others out, even to help them get their doctrine right is false leadership. Jesus didn't do that. The woman at the well was messed up in her theology. So was Nicodemus. But Jesus gently without pedantry helped them come into truth. So should we. The worst are those with "degrees" ending in DIV. They are know-it-alls about what they think they know but don't. Arrogance born of ignorance or half knowledge keeps the saints in the dark. Leaders must set people free to ask questions without fear.
The Ignorant Leader who Doesn't Know He or She is Ignorant
This is the senior leader who is so ignorant he gets his sermons from the Internet. He cannot read and preach from his understanding because he has none. He uses fake emotion and strange fire to pretend to preach strong, but without the cliches and badly borrowed text he would be lost. He has not earned the right to stand before others and preach the word. I'm not talking about young or inexperience, I'm talking about lazy and ignorant. Too many times a badly told joke, a fishing story or a bible verse that isn't there becomes the basis for bad preaching. I actually heard one such say in sincerely "Today let us understand the Verse that says "God Helps Those who Help Themselves". It's painful and they must earn the right to pay the price to stand before others with confidence and authority. It's not about reading someone else's book and trying to preach from it, it's not about getting on some christian blog and changing up some words for your sermon. It's about knowing the AUTHOR of the Bible you preach from. If you find yourself under one of these folks, help them, if they won't listen. Leave.
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Senior Leaders Who Diminish the Kingdom of God
As a prophet it is my job to identify and call out those who are abusing the Body of Christ. A watchman, a guardian and in a way a shepherd of the sheep. I do not suppose to confront directly those who are identified. There is serious problems in the Body of Christ and His Church that must be dealt with. To deal with them first takes identification. For the most part I use the Personal Pronoun HE, but it can be he or she.
The Conspiracy Driven leader
This person is always looking under the bed, behind the curtain and around the corner for grand conspiracies. It's not wrong to be vigilant, it is wrong to instill fear and anger in people for the purposes of continuing your own ministry. This is not just a right or left wing situation. This is a case of telling half truths, lies and fabrications to get people to follow you. I know of many who are in this boat. I don't know how a person can correct them. They must ultimately be humiliated. They must be defamed. That won't be by a prophet, I can only warn those who find themselves under the teaching or direction of one such to advise them to RUN. They will fill you with so many lies you will die from the pain. God puts one up and another down. At some point they will be exposed for the charlatans of untruth they are by God himself. Of course in the mean time they will have destroyed lives in fear. If half your leaders admonitions are strange sounding and he keeps telling you that he knows, he looked it up, he has documentation, he is privy to special knowledge, he's a fraud. Even if it's convenient to accept, if it's a fabrication it will put you in chains. Receive a lie and it will put you in chains.
The "Business Opportunity" Leader
The worst case of this I ever saw was a pastor in River Falls Wisconsin. He had a thriving church of 500 people. Someone seduced him into a Multi Level Marketing scheme that he became convinced was the answer to all things. His evangelism shifted from "Jesus Saves" to MLM (There became many).
Some people bought into the program, particularly those who were new in the faith. Many less gullible drifted away. In two years he had destroyed the work God had given him. People's lives who had invested themselves in these schemes were impoverished and in some cases bankrupted. He was shamed and left the ministry. That good church destroyed by greed. I wish I could report that was an isolated incident. It's not. There are several churches in the Chicago area who are trapped in this cycle of next MLM. Those leaders do not so much have a flock they lead to Jesus, but a bunch of sheep they lead to slaughter via the next failed scheme. Some that I know are on their 15th MLM in the last 5 years. No one makes any money to speak except the guy in their up-line - Pastor or Apostle BullSpit. The sermons get to be more about keeping people in the down line and less about helping them reach their destiny in God. Altar calls are designed to create dependence. People's lives are less because they are given false hope in an ungodly scheme. The Kingdom of God is diminished.
The Racial Identity Political Champion Leader
This can be white, black, Indian, Korean or any number of iterations. Of course a Spanish speaking church will often not be helpful if you don't speak Spanish. Same with other languages. Yet, the capacity of a Church to reach outside it's racial configuration requires a leader with a larger vision. Many traditional white or black congregations are so targeted to their ethnic base it is impossible nearly for someone outside of that racial identity to come in. Many people think they would LIKE to be multicultural but they demonstrate a lack of tolerance and love towards those who are not like them. This comes from the top. It comes because it's easy to keep people in the club if they look just like you, act just like you, believe what you believe culturally and share cultural worldviews. This is not as it should be. We should be KINGDOM.. but we're not. We are racial identity divided. Our politics excludes people. If a leader is not ready to demonstrate his love towards all, the members will not as well. You can spot this when a leader uses his platform to spank the "Not Like Us" attendees, or uses cultural code words to keep them separate. I have seen this on the right, left, black, white, American Indian, Spanish Speaking and Korean churches. It's wrong when it flows down from the head. If you find yourself isolated from others because of this.. it's time to leave.
The "It's my Job Man" Leader
This is the hireling. In many churches of cold dead denominations this is the guy who knows all the motions to go thru. He knows how to open with prayer, close with a song and read his warmed over sermon to you. Most of the time his prime interest is in keeping his job. He won't take a risk. He works on behalf of a board. He is uninspired and uninspiring. It is questionable if he knows God at all. He knows his Bible some, but he doesn't' know HIM. He can't help you, he can't help himself. Walk away. If you are in this place, you know this already. You probably are staying there because your mom or dad was there at one time. You know this guy by the number of times he calls on the 23rd Psalm and the Lords Prayer in a crisis. Zero fresh manna from heaven.
The Leveraging on Wealthy Members Leader
I know of far too many like this. Usually a denominational church. One or two very wealthy influential families make up the bulk of economic and positional contributions. It's their own private enterprise. The leader pastor simply walks the walk to not get fired. They can LOOK like prosperous churches but they are driven and dominated by big money from the chosen few. The big contributors are the elders or senior board members. Little attention is paid to their ability or understanding. I know of one church that was indirectly led by a family famous in recycling and waste pick up. Became a BIG church. Lots of programs.. but when the pastor asked a few hard questions he was out on his ear. That happened a few times and the church died. We are all equal at the cross even if we have more money than the others. It is my sincere belief that a Pastor should NOT know how much his members contribute. Not even a hint. That Pastor should love on and lead with a pure heart. Money does not allow for that. No leader can remain independent of the influence of big money ... even if he is deceived into thinking he can. Most Pastors think they can handle this.. they can't. Having great wealth is not a spiritual gift.
The Narrow Focus to Exclusion Leader (Cultist)
Any church built on a single focus and excluding others subject to deception and ultimately becomes a cult. We have heard of how the Scientologists segregate their members and shun those who leave the cult. That would be great if that were all there are. Yet in the Church World there are many churchy expressions that become cultish because of a narrow focus. It might be end times prophecy, it could be deliverance from demonic influence, it could be all prayer all the time, it could be prophecy, it might be evangelism only, it might be manifestation of charismatic gifting, it might be all teaching all the time, it might be prosperity without bounds, it might be positive confession, it might be fasting it can also be overemphasis on good works or sacraments. There are probably a hundred other ways excess takes place. It's not to say anyone of them are wrong.. but balance is the key. There are 5 graces listed in Ephesians 4. There are 9 Giftings in 1 Corinthians 12. There are other identifiable spiritual propensities all thru the Bible. When a senior leader begins to concentrate on a single area to the exclusion of all others and thinks he has some insight into that better than others, he is a cult leader. Balance matters. Look for balance.
The "MY KINGDOM COME" leader
This leader is easy to spot. He is not building people, he's building a kingdom. Big buildings, big cars, big houses, big living and that takes big money extracted from the members with guilt, shame and religious pressure. When the offering sermon is longer than the word he is bringing you know you are in the presence of a "My Kingdom Come" leader. These are pirates dressed up as apostolic leaders. They will quote the dozen or so bible verses you hear all the time to justify their piracy. They give the Kingdom of God a bad name. They have to be exposed. They are pimping the people for their own Kingdom. The opposite of that is the leader who lives in the same house, same car, parks in the same place away from the door and eschews any privilege. I have known a few but far too few. The first clue is the sign right next to the best parking spot, "Reserved for Apostle Bigshot". The truth is the most spiritual parking sites are the furthest from the door. These pirates operate in double anointing during tax refund season. You don't need him and get away while you still have a nickle in your pocket.
The "Airplane is my Second Home" Leader
This senior leader is not so much dangerous as absent from the people he is to serve. It becomes a question why they have a church at which they are essentially only Guest Speaker. Sometimes this is because of an unusual anointing and ability they have come into demand on the global stage. You can't serve two masters. Someone will get hurt. This needs to be decided soon.
I will never forget once when Benny Hinn was in Chicago and a few dozen megachurch leaders where on the front row. People were brought up for prayer. They were asked which church they attended. What was shocking (I was there and saw it) was when people said they were members at this or that church and the senior leader was there, he had no idea who they were. I'll grant you, some were making it up, but in a few cases I knew, they were hurt, that the man who had been their senior pastor for many years had no idea who they were. They had followed, given and been loyal in service but they were less than a name of a face to the senior leader. Instead of tending the sheep, he was flying here or there. There comes a time to decide what the call of God is on your life and follow that lead. I exclude my Apostle who seems to be able to handle this pretty well, but how he does it I don't know. Worse, may who think they want to be like him... FAIL.
The Leader Known as "Apostle Know it All"
There are some leaders who tolerate no doctrinal deviation from members. There is not an anointed call so much as the requirement to fall in line. The attitude is "I Know and YOU DON'T". It's dangerous and can cause many to feel left out. It's good to be well versed, it' great to be on a firm foundation, but to not hear others out, even to help them get their doctrine right is false leadership. Jesus didn't do that. The woman at the well was messed up in her theology. So was Nicodemus. But Jesus gently without pedantry helped them come into truth. So should we. The worst are those with "degrees" ending with - DIV. They are know-it-alls about what they think they know but don't. Arrogance of ignorance or half knowledge keeps saints in the dark. Leaders must set people free to ask questions without fear.
The Ignorant Leader who Doesn't Know He or She is Ignorant
This is the senior leader who is so ignorant he gets his sermons from the Internet. He cannot read and preach from his understanding because he has none. He uses fake emotion and strange fire to pretend to preach strong but without the cliches and badly borrowed text he would be lost. He has not earned the right to stand before others and preach the word. I'm not talking about young or inexperience, I'm talking about lazy and ignorant. Too many times a badly told joke, a fishing story or a bible verse that isn't there becomes the basis for bad preaching. "Today let us deal with the Verse that says "God Helps Those who Help Themselves". It's painful and they must earn the right to pay the price to stand before others with confidence and authority. It's not about reading someone else's book and trying to preach from it, it's not about getting on some christian blog and changing up some words for your sermon. It's about knowing the AUTHOR of the big book you preach from. If you find yourself under one of these folks, help them, if they won't listen. Leave.
The Conspiracy Driven leader
This person is always looking under the bed, behind the curtain and around the corner for grand conspiracies. It's not wrong to be vigilant, it is wrong to instill fear and anger in people for the purposes of continuing your own ministry. This is not just a right or left wing situation. This is a case of telling half truths, lies and fabrications to get people to follow you. I know of many who are in this boat. I don't know how a person can correct them. They must ultimately be humiliated. They must be defamed. That won't be by a prophet, I can only warn those who find themselves under the teaching or direction of one such to advise them to RUN. They will fill you with so many lies you will die from the pain. God puts one up and another down. At some point they will be exposed for the charlatans of untruth they are by God himself. Of course in the mean time they will have destroyed lives in fear. If half your leaders admonitions are strange sounding and he keeps telling you that he knows, he looked it up, he has documentation, he is privy to special knowledge, he's a fraud. Even if it's convenient to accept, if it's a fabrication it will put you in chains. Receive a lie and it will put you in chains.
The "Business Opportunity" Leader
The worst case of this I ever saw was a pastor in River Falls Wisconsin. He had a thriving church of 500 people. Someone seduced him into a Multi Level Marketing scheme that he became convinced was the answer to all things. His evangelism shifted from "Jesus Saves" to MLM (There became many).
Some people bought into the program, particularly those who were new in the faith. Many less gullible drifted away. In two years he had destroyed the work God had given him. People's lives who had invested themselves in these schemes were impoverished and in some cases bankrupted. He was shamed and left the ministry. That good church destroyed by greed. I wish I could report that was an isolated incident. It's not. There are several churches in the Chicago area who are trapped in this cycle of next MLM. Those leaders do not so much have a flock they lead to Jesus, but a bunch of sheep they lead to slaughter via the next failed scheme. Some that I know are on their 15th MLM in the last 5 years. No one makes any money to speak except the guy in their up-line - Pastor or Apostle BullSpit. The sermons get to be more about keeping people in the down line and less about helping them reach their destiny in God. Altar calls are designed to create dependence. People's lives are less because they are given false hope in an ungodly scheme. The Kingdom of God is diminished.
The Racial Identity Political Champion Leader
This can be white, black, Indian, Korean or any number of iterations. Of course a Spanish speaking church will often not be helpful if you don't speak Spanish. Same with other languages. Yet, the capacity of a Church to reach outside it's racial configuration requires a leader with a larger vision. Many traditional white or black congregations are so targeted to their ethnic base it is impossible nearly for someone outside of that racial identity to come in. Many people think they would LIKE to be multicultural but they demonstrate a lack of tolerance and love towards those who are not like them. This comes from the top. It comes because it's easy to keep people in the club if they look just like you, act just like you, believe what you believe culturally and share cultural worldviews. This is not as it should be. We should be KINGDOM.. but we're not. We are racial identity divided. Our politics excludes people. If a leader is not ready to demonstrate his love towards all, the members will not as well. You can spot this when a leader uses his platform to spank the "Not Like Us" attendees, or uses cultural code words to keep them separate. I have seen this on the right, left, black, white, American Indian, Spanish Speaking and Korean churches. It's wrong when it flows down from the head. If you find yourself isolated from others because of this.. it's time to leave.
The "It's my Job Man" Leader
This is the hireling. In many churches of cold dead denominations this is the guy who knows all the motions to go thru. He knows how to open with prayer, close with a song and read his warmed over sermon to you. Most of the time his prime interest is in keeping his job. He won't take a risk. He works on behalf of a board. He is uninspired and uninspiring. It is questionable if he knows God at all. He knows his Bible some, but he doesn't' know HIM. He can't help you, he can't help himself. Walk away. If you are in this place, you know this already. You probably are staying there because your mom or dad was there at one time. You know this guy by the number of times he calls on the 23rd Psalm and the Lords Prayer in a crisis. Zero fresh manna from heaven.
The Leveraging on Wealthy Members Leader
I know of far too many like this. Usually a denominational church. One or two very wealthy influential families make up the bulk of economic and positional contributions. It's their own private enterprise. The leader pastor simply walks the walk to not get fired. They can LOOK like prosperous churches but they are driven and dominated by big money from the chosen few. The big contributors are the elders or senior board members. Little attention is paid to their ability or understanding. I know of one church that was indirectly led by a family famous in recycling and waste pick up. Became a BIG church. Lots of programs.. but when the pastor asked a few hard questions he was out on his ear. That happened a few times and the church died. We are all equal at the cross even if we have more money than the others. It is my sincere belief that a Pastor should NOT know how much his members contribute. Not even a hint. That Pastor should love on and lead with a pure heart. Money does not allow for that. No leader can remain independent of the influence of big money ... even if he is deceived into thinking he can. Most Pastors think they can handle this.. they can't. Having great wealth is not a spiritual gift.
The Narrow Focus to Exclusion Leader (Cultist)
Any church built on a single focus and excluding others subject to deception and ultimately becomes a cult. We have heard of how the Scientologists segregate their members and shun those who leave the cult. That would be great if that were all there are. Yet in the Church World there are many churchy expressions that become cultish because of a narrow focus. It might be end times prophecy, it could be deliverance from demonic influence, it could be all prayer all the time, it could be prophecy, it might be evangelism only, it might be manifestation of charismatic gifting, it might be all teaching all the time, it might be prosperity without bounds, it might be positive confession, it might be fasting it can also be overemphasis on good works or sacraments. There are probably a hundred other ways excess takes place. It's not to say anyone of them are wrong.. but balance is the key. There are 5 graces listed in Ephesians 4. There are 9 Giftings in 1 Corinthians 12. There are other identifiable spiritual propensities all thru the Bible. When a senior leader begins to concentrate on a single area to the exclusion of all others and thinks he has some insight into that better than others, he is a cult leader. Balance matters. Look for balance.
The "MY KINGDOM COME" leader
This leader is easy to spot. He is not building people, he's building a kingdom. Big buildings, big cars, big houses, big living and that takes big money extracted from the members with guilt, shame and religious pressure. When the offering sermon is longer than the word he is bringing you know you are in the presence of a "My Kingdom Come" leader. These are pirates dressed up as apostolic leaders. They will quote the dozen or so bible verses you hear all the time to justify their piracy. They give the Kingdom of God a bad name. They have to be exposed. They are pimping the people for their own Kingdom. The opposite of that is the leader who lives in the same house, same car, parks in the same place away from the door and eschews any privilege. I have known a few but far too few. The first clue is the sign right next to the best parking spot, "Reserved for Apostle Bigshot". The truth is the most spiritual parking sites are the furthest from the door. These pirates operate in double anointing during tax refund season. You don't need him and get away while you still have a nickle in your pocket.
The "Airplane is my Second Home" Leader
This senior leader is not so much dangerous as absent from the people he is to serve. It becomes a question why they have a church at which they are essentially only Guest Speaker. Sometimes this is because of an unusual anointing and ability they have come into demand on the global stage. You can't serve two masters. Someone will get hurt. This needs to be decided soon.
I will never forget once when Benny Hinn was in Chicago and a few dozen megachurch leaders where on the front row. People were brought up for prayer. They were asked which church they attended. What was shocking (I was there and saw it) was when people said they were members at this or that church and the senior leader was there, he had no idea who they were. I'll grant you, some were making it up, but in a few cases I knew, they were hurt, that the man who had been their senior pastor for many years had no idea who they were. They had followed, given and been loyal in service but they were less than a name of a face to the senior leader. Instead of tending the sheep, he was flying here or there. There comes a time to decide what the call of God is on your life and follow that lead. I exclude my Apostle who seems to be able to handle this pretty well, but how he does it I don't know. Worse, may who think they want to be like him... FAIL.
The Leader Known as "Apostle Know it All"
There are some leaders who tolerate no doctrinal deviation from members. There is not an anointed call so much as the requirement to fall in line. The attitude is "I Know and YOU DON'T". It's dangerous and can cause many to feel left out. It's good to be well versed, it' great to be on a firm foundation, but to not hear others out, even to help them get their doctrine right is false leadership. Jesus didn't do that. The woman at the well was messed up in her theology. So was Nicodemus. But Jesus gently without pedantry helped them come into truth. So should we. The worst are those with "degrees" ending with - DIV. They are know-it-alls about what they think they know but don't. Arrogance of ignorance or half knowledge keeps saints in the dark. Leaders must set people free to ask questions without fear.
The Ignorant Leader who Doesn't Know He or She is Ignorant
This is the senior leader who is so ignorant he gets his sermons from the Internet. He cannot read and preach from his understanding because he has none. He uses fake emotion and strange fire to pretend to preach strong but without the cliches and badly borrowed text he would be lost. He has not earned the right to stand before others and preach the word. I'm not talking about young or inexperience, I'm talking about lazy and ignorant. Too many times a badly told joke, a fishing story or a bible verse that isn't there becomes the basis for bad preaching. "Today let us deal with the Verse that says "God Helps Those who Help Themselves". It's painful and they must earn the right to pay the price to stand before others with confidence and authority. It's not about reading someone else's book and trying to preach from it, it's not about getting on some christian blog and changing up some words for your sermon. It's about knowing the AUTHOR of the big book you preach from. If you find yourself under one of these folks, help them, if they won't listen. Leave.
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