To grow strong in the Lord, stop looking to a preacher and start looking to the living Jesus and the writings of His early disciples. Jesus never intended for His power and ministry to be monopolized by a professional clergy!

Pastors like to determine the way church services go; but Jesus said; “I am the way.” Without the living Jesus, leading (and being) the way, the body of Christ is just a multiplicity of religious organizations controlled by men.

Church is a programmed and rehearsed event. However, the New Testament ekklesia is heart-felt relationship with Christ and others (that rehearsal saps). If unexplainable things aren’t happening in a worship service, it may indicate more trust in a program than in the risen Jesus.

By making Christians dependent on human leadership, church makes them think that they don’t need to personally hear from God. Spiritual leadership doesn’t hold on to and control followers, but connects them to the living Jesus and sends them off to follow Him

Instead of “leading” others, perhaps it would be more effective if pastors helped others listen to and follow the living Jesus. After, all, history shows that preachers have twisted the Bible far more than everyday people, prayerfully reading it for themselves have.