The Sham of Great Christian Leaders
The church of Jesus Christ has one Head (Eph 1:22; 5:23; Col 1:18), one Leader (Mt 23:10). When the apostle Paul wrote, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ (1 Cor 11:1),” he was not claiming to be a leader, trying to be a guru for other leaders.
When men rip a Bible text out of its context, and interpret the text to match their own agenda, you can be sure they will lead you astray with their deficient exegesis and hermeneutics. It is common to do this with 1 Cor 11:1, especially using the translation that employs “followers” instead of “imitators.”
Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18) and led by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:14). It is the Spirit of truth who guides us into all truth (Jn 16:13), including the truth that we have one Great Leader and we have zero need for any other. Popery belongs to Roman Catholicism, but aspiring evangelical popes abound. They aspire to build their little kingdoms, and some of them do quite well for themselves…financially.
Care for souls, by called pastors, is biblical (Jn 21:15–17; 1 Pet 5:1–5). The way of the pastor is to feed and protect the sheep with his rod and staff (the Bible). The Spirit of Christ illumines the pastor with grace and knowledge to be adequate as a servant of God (2 Cor 3:5–6; 2 Pet 1:2; 3:18).
The pastor does the work of an evangelist (2 Tim 4:5), preaching the Word of reconciliation in his appointed ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18–20; 2 Tim 4:2).
“Feed my sheep (Jn 21:17),” does not mean lord over them (1 Pet 5:1–4). It does not mean one builds an organization under himself. The pastor sets his heart to study God’s Word (Ezra 7:10). He is one who delights in the Law of the Lord (Ps 1:2; 119:70). His desire is to know Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection (Phil 3:10). He preaches Christ crucified in the power and demonstration of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:4).
Christians would be wise to sit under the man of God, who devotes himself to know the Word and the ministry of the Word. Here is the place of spiritual hunger satisfied, and where Christ’s sheep can lie down in safety (Ps 23:2).
The Spirit of God and the Word of God are true wisdom of God and power of God working in the man of God (1 Cor 1:24). Christians should beware of ambitious men who give themselves to other matters, driven by malicious motives (Ezek 34).
Church growth, via church marketing schemes, prostitutes the body of Christ as the whore of Babylon to the world. Christ is the exclusive Head of His body. He is the sole Leader of His people. His church is an organism, not an organization. There is zero need for hierarchy (1 Cor 1), but endless opportunity to bless others with the gifts granted by Christ’s indwelling Spirit (Rom 8:9, 11; 12:6–8; 1 Cor 12:4–11; Gal 4:6; 5:22–23; 2 Tim 1:14).
The parts of Christ’s body (Rom 12:4–5), the church, need one another, to serve in the design God has given to each member (1 Cor 12). It is the pompous charlatan who aspires to be a great leader. The great one among Christ’s followers is a humble servant with no agenda other than to wait on the Lord (Ps 27:14; 37:7, 9; 40:1; 69:6; 130:6; 147:11; Prv 20:22; Is 40:31). He serves at the beck and call of the Spirit. Again, it is the Spirit and the Word who produces humility in the slave of Christ (Eph 6:6).
It is never the objective of the Christian to exalt himself or any other person to greatness. Our God is great, and there is no one else (Ps 77:13; 86:10). The Christian exalts Christ alone because He alone is worthy (Phil 3:3). The magnificent obsession of the believer in Jesus is Jesus, the only Savior of sinners (Titus 3:5). We proclaim Him, admonishing every man, teaching every man (Col 1:28–29). He is our boast (1 Cor 1:31).
Christians do not say to others, “Look at Jesus the Leader, followed by Paul the leader, followed by me the leader, who you should follow if you want to be a great leader.” The Christian leadership cult wants you to join their multi-level marketing pyramid. They wish to deprive you of your rest in Christ’s pasture, “Get out there and sell Jesus!” Top sellers will be exalted in the leadership pyramid scheme. Their name will be above other names.
Christian, the devil wants you to be great, a leader of leaders. He wants you to be like a god (Gen 3:5). He has deceived our family from the beginning (Gen 3), and he has not changed his deviant ways. Repent, if you have fallen prey to his snare.
Turn from the organization that promises you it is doing great things for God. This is the synagogue of Satan in America and around the world. In the name of Jesus, its “leaders” promise to make you a great leader, by teaching you the doctrine of demons (psychology, philosophy, political science, mingled with man-centered theology). This is the personal leadership development taken from corporations in the world and brought into the church.
Repent and again I say repent of these huckster conmen who serve themselves, market themselves, exalt themselves, and preach themselves…all in the name of Jesus.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
April 8, 2022
