"The Eldership Cookbook"

The subject of “leadership in the church” is probably the most talked about, the most widespread, and perhaps the most distorted and lethal of all the twisted teachings that have been trumpeted down through the centuries inside the musty halls of the local institutionalized church.

(Google’s latest results for that term: 33,000,000 million!)

Leadership amongst God’s people is certainly of critical importance, both for clergy and laity alike and the Scriptures are not in the least bit silent on this subject either.

The following article will examine all of the major passages in Scripture dealing with this subject, especially 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

As an introduction, we will use a quote from someone who is considered by many to be the “Godfather” of theologians, John Calvin.  This particular quote from Calvin was chosen because it not only brings into sharp focus and expression the embodiment of how a local church institution thinks and operates when it comes to leadership, but it also corresponds exactly in thought and practice within a wide spectrum of denominations as well, thereby not being limited to “Calvinistic” perspectives.


Here is a local institutional churches mindset on the role and importance of “leadership” in a nutshell as stated by John Calvin:

“The pastoral office is necessary to preserve the church on earth in a greater way than the sun, food, and drink are necessary to nourish and sustain the present life.” 
Institutes, IV: 3:2, p. 1055.

What is wrong with this picture? 

Follow this link - The Eldership Cookbook - to read the article in its entirety.

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"OBEY THEM"

Doesn't the Bible say, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them;” “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor;” “Remember them that had the rule over you;” “Salute all them that have the rule over you;” “Likewise, ye younger, be subject unto the elder?”


These are the all-time favorite verses that church leaders love shoving down church member’s throats and then stand there and watch their subjects shrivel up and cower in the dust.

If you are familiar with this blog and our website, http://www.wickedshepherds.com/, particularly the “Institutional Church Series” section, you are aware that some English words found in our Bibles have been incorrectly translated such as the word “church” or the word “office” for example.  You have also been made aware of the fact that these “mistranslations”, “omissions,” or “additions” have been made deliberately in order to mislead the people and to thereby further a hierarchical, ruling class of so-called church officials.


Into the same class of mistranslated words as “church” and “office,” you can now throw in the words “obey,” "rule over,” and “submit to them.”

Just as we have clearly shown you how the word “Ecclesia,” meaning an assembly or community of God’s people was deceitfully replaced with the word “church” (meaning a building or institution) by the KJV translators in order to maintain their control over the people; in like manner, by the help and aid of the Spirit, we will now clearly show you how the above verses of Scripture have also been maligned and perverted to further the agendas of power-hungry, sanctimonious control freaks who are bent on corralling unto themselves a pliant people of unquestioned servility.

We will begin with Hebrews 13:17 as our foundation and make our progression from there.  This verse at first glance, seems to be loaded in favor of those who like to rule over God’s people, which is probably why it is perhaps the most favorite of “church leaders.”  It incorporates all of our three words together in one breath.


We will take a look at each word, and as we go along, it will become apparent not only as to what the true meanings are, but also as to the reason behind the translators substitution of an entirely different word to further their hierarchical/institutional agenda.

Read the article at this link:  "OBEY THEM"


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Forsake Not The Assembling

 "For freedom did Christ set us free: stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage."                                                                                                                                                                          
Galatians 5:1

Concerning the "stated meetings of the church," this teaching is usually set forth by the leaders of a given congregation and is presented in somewhat of the following way:

"Any one who is a member of this congregation is expected to attend the stated meetings of the church unless they are providentially hindered."

The "stated meetings" are determined by the elders or leaders of the church and the concept is often found in the church's constitution. Most of the time it is simply accepted with little or no thought as to whether or not this is a Biblical idea that was practiced anywhere in the New Testament church.  It is not until time goes by that one begins to feel the pressure of such a requirement.  People become uncomfortable and the sad part is that they fail to ask the obvious question that should be branded on the mind of every Christian:

"Where is this found in the Bible?"

That question is the point of this paper.  Whenever this teaching is followed, it brings men into legalistic bondage. 

This article will examine Hebrews 10:25, along with naming a popular Bible teacher who preaches this bondage. 

To read the article click the link below:

Forsake Not The Assembling


http://www.wickedshepherds.com/