If This Is Your Pastor, Then You Need To Flee!

This video is appalling! But it does illustrate the extent that pastors think they that they are lords over "their flock." If you find yourself "under" someone like this, then all I can say is run. If you in fact believe this man is well within the Biblical parameters set for a pastor, then consider a few passages -

I Peter 5:3 - 

Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

I Cor. 11:1-3 - 

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

III John 9-11 - 

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

II Timothy 3:1-9 (Special emphasis on 1-5) - 

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their's also was.

Hebrews 10:24-25 - (Emphasis mine)

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I have always enjoyed my friend Dr. Dave Stone's website, and he offers these ideas concerning church. Also, Paul Howey's website offers much more material concerning the pastor worship cult. Consider this article for example. Please, don't keep harming yourself by placing yourself under men like the pastor in this video. He is, though zealous and even well-meaning, going against God's Word by employing such methods.

PS - This was Jim Standbridge from Immanuel Baptist Church, Skiatook, OK, but it doesn't matter who it is, it could well be your pastor.