The reason the seminaries and bible colleges don't screen for narcissism is because a high percentage of the staff are narcissists climbing the ladders of power. Most know the old saw when someone is planning to go to seminary is to ask them why they want to go to "the cemetery". All humor has at its core a kernel of truth.

BLESS THE TEACHINGS TEACH, TRAIN, EQUIPP THE SAINTS TO DO THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY........OOH, DID I SAY.......EQUIPP I DONT THINK THAT BIBLE COLLEGES OR SEMIN.. ARIES........DIDNT EQUIPP THEM.........THEY GAVE THEM A BUSINESS DEGREE TO HAVE PROGRAMMES THAT ZONDERVAN ETC...NEEDED TO SELL BOOKS AND RECORDS AND ETC.......CONSUMERISM. HAS BEEN AROUND IN THE CHURCH.........BIBLE STUDIES IN A CIRCLE.....APPARENTLY DOESNT PAY............RIGHT MATT......SO WE PRAY. PAUL JOHN IN OTTAWA ONTARIO..........

WE KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS.......MATT APPARENTLY ACCORDING TO BARNA RESEARCH......THE ELDERS THEY CHOOSE WERE NOT GODLY BUT BUSINESS MEN IN THE CHURCH WITH WORLDLY IDEAS......NOT BIBLICAL THOUGHTS...IF YOU DONT WALK IT YOU DONT LIVE IT. LETS PRAY PAUL IN OTTAWA ONTARIO CANADA......... WALK IN THE SPIRIT AND YOU WILL NOT FULFILL THE LUSTS.....VERY CLEAR ......

What is “churches of Christ”? is it a denomination or what do you mean? Thanks!

I had a youth pastor that was a narcissist, not typical but I was too young to know. My brother is and was one as well. It's rooted in shame and aims to be the center of attention and controls those whom they are closest to. The control and the people around them is the key and listen to their language, controlling the narrative, always winning the discussion, etc...

PRAISE THE LORD......MATT.......THATS RIGHT.........GETTING IN BUT STAYING IN........SOUNDS LIKE ROMANS THAT IM IN ALL SUMMER PAUL JOHN OTTAWA

Just left a Ministry where the Pastor was cold, narcissistic, and verbally abusive. When I exposed Jezebel, the crap hit the fan, the last straw nwas today.

I am curious have you ever visited one of the International churches of Christ? They broke off back in the 1970s from churches of Christ and are very zealous Christians. It can be very compelling to be around them.

This is very nice!!!

I sure would like to dialogue with anybody about these complicated issues. In my opinion the church of Christ is way too clever is for its own good. If any Christian used CENI to study the issue of instrumental music from Genesis to the Book of Revelation he or she would discover that the non-instrumental "specialty" is NOT Biblical. Why would God give those Christians harps in Revelation 15 if instrumental music is sinful? Even it was argued that Revelation is symbolic and all that, why would God depict that as something they are doing after defeating the Sea Beast?? Come on Christians!!! You drive people away with that Calvinism, because it was Calvin who brought those legalistic ideas about acapella into the Reformation Movement. It is an anvil around your neck, O ye Christians!

I sure would like to dialogue with anybody about these complicated issues. In my opinion the church of Christ is way too clever is for its own good. If any Christian used CENI to study the issue of instrumental music from Genesis to the Book of Revelation he or she would discover that the non-instrumental "specialty" is NOT Biblical. Why would God give those Christians harps in Revelation 15 if instrumental music is sinful? Even it was argued that Revelation is symbolic and all that, why would God depict that as something they are doing after defeating the Sea Beast?? Come on Christians!!! You drive people away with that Calvinism, because it was Calvin who brought those legalistic ideas about acapella into the Reformation Movement. It is an anvil around your neck, O ye Christians!

I don't mess with church of Christ Christians, as a rule. When I was a Lyft driver I picked up a guy who was a Christian from that religion and I noticed we did everything we could not to stumble each other. I did not want to hurt him in any way, shape, or form. At the same time, I know they think in their heart that nobody has a clue about God but them and them alone. Their understanding of the Bible, in my opinion, is really strong from Acts to Jude, and weak in the Synoptics and John (especially when it come to New Testament eschatology). Their ideas about the Book of Revelation are on the same or worse level as their understanding of the Old Testament and in my experience, they do not really care to go there. I spent three years in and they treated me so bad that I floated above my body because of shock. I will never go back because they are too legalistic and brittle.

I used to be a member of the churches of Christ. The other day I called Star Bible Publications in Texas, looking for a book I lost and they told me they ceased selling their tracts and books because of COVID - 19. It is bad enough that the churches are shrinking, but for the printing houses to actually stop manufacturing the literature instead of turning them into eBooks is, in my opinion, fatal. I told the lady that they should consider digital products and not just give up like that. She did not seem to be encouraged by my suggestions, but I am genuinely surprised that this Christian movement and its ideas might disappear off the face of the earth!

Pastor, You Rock and are the Rock we all need. Especially we need you now with all the Spiritual Bypassing some are attempting to use in order to silence others and benefit themselves. I will pray for them. However, we all need to make sure they do not "PREY" upon us. God Bless You.

Very encouraging. We also have started a house-style church and are on that joutney. In your case, what was the fundraising you did for? For supplies or similar? I ask because I've been struggling a bit with whether it would be okay. Thank you.

I believe in God. I don't actively go to church or had anyone influence me.i just feel it inside me to be true. I find it fascinating and exciting. I hope to meet him one day.

Amen!

actually they were talking zaccheus he was short that's why he climbed the tree. JESUS was average.

I think Balaam started this whole mess, a prophet for hire.

The problem with the CofC is that they don't care about people. They are an antiquated good ol' boy system. They are legalistic with no grace. They feel good about themselves by tearing other people down. The minister told my family to leave a CofC because we opposed an adulterer being appointed deacon. Despite trying to find an elder to correct the situation, no one cared. Eventually I pushed too hard on the rope of trying to find reconciliation at the church, and the elders attacked our marriage by using a gossipy church lady to tell my wife I was going to hurt her. The last time I reached out to an elder, I asked him to pray with me after my wife left me. He lied to me and said the elders didn't do anything and he threated me with the police. Unfortunately, the seeds of mistrust they planted in our marriage destroyed our marriage and our family. My children are now grown adults and want nothing to do with church or me. So I pray every day that the Lord will hasten the day that the CofC is no longer on the face of the earth!

WAY TO BE MATT..........THERE IS NO DISCIPLESHIP WE NEED TO MEET AROUND PRAYER AND THE WORD (JOHN 15) ABIDE IN ME AND MY WORDS AND YOU SHALL BEAR FRUIT.........EMPTY OUT.THE CHURCH............AND THEY WILL REALIZE OOOH, HOW COME I DONT READ THE BIBLE FOR MYSELF AND STOP DEPENDING ON THE PASTOR TO FEED ME AS A BABY CHRISTIAN FOR DECADES......THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED...PAUL JOHN OTTAWA

Let me know what questions you have on this! Also, I run a Facebook group that posts info and links to the best deals at Logos each month...join over 4200 others! facebook.com/groups/logosbiblesoftwarediscounts

We in the West tend to be so worldly minded, in the sense we assume the church should be run like a business, focused on our view of what success looks like. We have buzz words and concepts, which we never question, to check if they are based on biblical concepts and teaching. I’ve only ever met one person who sat down with a Bible and concordance, to start from scratch, to understand what the Bible teaches about church government. One person, in some 40 years! I agree, biblical usage is so important. For example, many Christians think the word “pastor” appears on every page of the New Testament, and this one role is fundamental. No, the word occurs once, in relation to ‘ministry’, and does not refer to the person ‘in charge’ of a local church. Paul describes himself several times as a “herald” of the gospel. In 40 years, I’ve never heard one sermon, or even one teacher, refer to what being a herald means. We are so imbalanced, and far removed from even a basic understanding of the Bible, I think. We talk about “leaders” and “leadership” continually, yet the Bible never talks in those terms, other than Jesus said not to call any man your leader! The disconnect is staggering. Here’s an amusing challenge… to be biblical, if a church does go with a ‘pyramid style’ hierarchy of ‘staff’ in paid ministry, then those at the ‘top’ should be paid the least! I wonder how many “senior pastors” would agree to be paid less than a cleaner, or secretary, even though it’s arguably what Jesus taught us. How many would be willing to work with their hands, as Paul did and taught, to support themselves in ministry, and also help support others? It’s a good exercise to think through why this is not the usual pattern. Is it because we think the world’s way is better, we feel more comfortable with it, or we think Jesus didn’t mean what He said…?

I’ve only heard the first few minutes, but the letter is written to not only those in Corinth but to all believers.

As a missionary in Asia for 6 years and off and on in Africa for several years. I learned very clearly and quickly that the Holy Spirit was necessary on a daily basis. With the presence and power of the Holy Spirit many amazing and incredible things occurred , including miracles, quickly answered prayers and encounters orchestrated by God. As we confronted demons, witches, and saw many miracles occur among unbelievers to bring them to Faith. In some case whole churches were planted because of one person being healed. At first we were more surprised than the unbelievers were. In time it became almost normal. When I shared this with my mentors, and supporters in the United States, I was strongly rebuked, we actually had support cut off after I shared our experiences. When I shared this with other missionaries they told me you cannot tell the American Church what goes on in the mission field because they do not have the maturity to understand it or believe it. I did find cessationist missionaries and inevitably they had lttle visible fruit for their ministry. No wonder the center of Christianity is Shifting to asia, Africa , Central and South america. While at the same time, it feels like and looks like, THE CHURCH is growing older and more and powerless. It seems to be withering here in North America, your post has been needed for a long time, I have talked about this topic with others, but you have to be very careful who you share it with or else you can get rejected, and marginalized also. A church which does not believe in the presence and power of the holy spirit is a powerless fading, dying and defunct Church. For to long we have been content with playing church instead of being the church empowered by the Holy Spirit. This why we are often not true disciples, and why we are not making disciples! Keep up the good work!

Very good stuff. Basically all the things the Lord has revealed to me about what's happening in the church. And I love the church. I love my brothers and sisters. But these things are problems and they have to be addressed and repented of.

But why did Paul say in the same chapter that all the churches were doing this if this was just for Corinth?

Church is a business. When you get over 300 people it is time to split it off. We left church when we had to make an appointment with the secritary just to talk to the leader. Church is incorporated and is under the 501c3 tax exemption. It is all about money and a product. Church is a consumable.

WAY TO BE . MATT.............TRADITIONS AND INSTITUTIONALIZED MINDS ROMANS 8:7 THOSE THAT HAVE THEIR MINDS LED OF THE SPIRIT WILL NOT FULFILL THE LUSTS OF THE FLESH...........ALL THESE PASTORS OVER THE LAST 40 YEARS WERE NEVER HELD TO ACCOUNT TO BE PREDATORS ON THOSE WEEK IN THE CHURCHES......THE BOARD KEPT IT QUIET AND THEIR WERE NOT ELDERS TO KEEP HIM IN CHECK AND ALSO MENTOR HIM.........DO THATS WHAT HAS TAKEN PLACE AND YES......NO PROMISE KEEPERS COULD STOP IT LETS PRAY FOR WHAT THE BIBLE ACTUALLY SAYS.......AND OBEY IT.........HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT ANOINT THIS CARNAL MINDED LACK OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP OF REAL BELIEVERS. PAUL JOHN IN OTTAWA ONTARO CANADA WE COULD BE STRONG AND FREE......IF WE WALKED IN THE SPIRIT.

I pray all telecommunications are used by God in Jesus name amen 🙏 For all times. For all nations. For all of Gods’creation in Jesus name amen 🙏

I pray for salvations all over Gods’ creation in Jesus name amen 🙏

Thank you for sharing this. After doing this episode below and thinking about it more recently, I've been wondering what someone should do if their pastor is a narcissist. Seems like the only thing is basically just keep your head down? kzbin.info/www/bejne/enu7pmuBnd6anLssi=bi0x9mTtDrSI1jFv

Gracias, muy útil. ¡Me podrías indicar cómo hacer la apóstrofe? ἀπ' ἀγρο

Not only are there crazy liberal feminists who hate men, but there's people from broken homes with abusive, deadbeat or absentee "fathers" and who do evil people prey on? Hurt people...I can see a church not even acknowledging father's day so as not to offend people...even the concept of a Heavenly Father might be offensive to those who have been hurt by an evil earthly father...even in the church there are broken homes and families trying to move on.

I believe the 1.5 million dollar figure that was given is misleading and would cause Christians like myself not to get baptized. I appreciate you being quoting the Bible scripture the cost is zero, we will be making a donation to the church for performing the Baptism.🙏✝️🙏

💙 King James mistranslated the word for Passover to Easter. Easter was created in 325AD by the Council of Nicene.

Not sure that small House Churches are a solution.Many of these so called small group ''House Churches" are just as toxic as mega churches. Many well known and controversial mega churches grew out of so called house churches eg Hillsong, Bethal, Calvary Chapels and various NAR type Word of faith denominations etc.Ive been down the rabbit hole of being an attendee at these churches and I'm sick of the persistent toxicity and decided enough is enough and left the church 15 years ago and I have never missed it.Id rather stay home and read a good book or go for a walk than listen to some preacher who just wants to build up his own personal fiefdom.

If you find yourself in a church like the one's described in the video JUST LEAVE.

‭Romans 16:16 KJV‬ [16] Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Sad to say but 90% of pastors are narcissistic… It’s hard to find that 10%..

💙 The book of Enoch is a false teaching.

Peace to everyone ❤️..! If the essence of the HOLY SCRIPTURES is still there, it remains good, JOHN 5:39. What is wrong are those omitted verses.

So if an unbeliever is on an airplane, sitting next to someone sharing the Word of God with them, and on that journey, they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior with no way to be "Water" baptized, and the plane crashes, they are not saved and going to hell?

Some may., most don’t work that hard. And they are brainwashed to think that they are supposed to do all this! Man made tradition. No top down authority in the congregation of the Lord. Elders were overseers but didn’t do it all! Unfortunately they believe they have some special anointing to speak that nobody else has! All passed down from around 200 A.D. reformers kept it!! Not the church of the Bible!

I'm one of the most educated, experienced, seasoned, sound, relevant, flexible, novel/original, aware, hard working, clean cut, well spoken, tempered individuals, with a distinguished Christian lineage and background. I'm a proficient dominant theologian, author and apologist who's completely content stacking chairs and taking out trash at church...and cleaning toilets if I need to. But I'm NOT a covertly sexualized, self referencing, domineering male existentialist. And that's why I get nowhere in Christian ministry. I'm convinced that Christians, in all denominations, are more concerned with someone's sexual persona than their relationship with Christ because they're looking for a minister to give them social confidence. I'm a tough dude, but when I got married, men at church wanted to shake my hand like I had arrived in life and was part of the higher class. I refused their gesture. I arrived in life when I was born again, and I've only gotten better. But to no avail. That's ok. Life it was it is. Church ministry and having the right church leadership is a delicate issue. "Image" matters because that's a reality or necessary evil we have to accept. I don't blame anyone, I just don't fit the bill and it's OBVIOUS it's simply not God's will and He's made me very useful, skilled, and productive in other areas. I never wanted to be a pastor. I just can't get other ministers to trust me to teach a small group for some reason. Not sure why. Credentials and meritocracy are dead. It's mostly all image driven now. Even in small traditional churches. Christians have too many other sensibilities that need to be gratified.

More accurate? I don't think so. Those brain washers make you divert from the real God.

We are unreal dreamers in an unreal dream.reality is also very convincing in all kinds of ways, yet reality has no reality to it.looks like we have all been lied to. conviction here is that there was never a creation in the first place.nothing exist.

Again, what about the other saviour God stories that are identical to the Jesus Christ story? Looks like both sides of this debate are very convincing.seems it all dreamt up that way.conviction here is that the convincing evidence is all dreamt up too.both sides.

Sin is rebellion against God, and sinning separates you from God.

The levitical priests had a head covering as well and God told them it is for their glory. That's the problem with christians that do not read the front of the book they come to the wrong conclusions