Church Bullies

 

Dealing with Church Bullies and Controlling Leaders

The church is meant to be a place of love and grace, but sometimes it is harmed by bullies and controlling leaders. These individuals can hurt others, cause division, and distract from the church’s true purpose: glorifying God and making disciples.

Church Bullies

Church bullies use intimidation, gossip, or manipulation to get their way. They may push their own agendas or try to control others. This behavior goes against Christ’s call to serve one another in love.

Paul warns about such people in Romans 16:17-18:

“Watch out for those who cause divisions… Such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own desires.”

Church bullies forget that the church belongs to Christ, not to them.

 

Controlling Leaders

Legalistic and authoritarian leaders often enforce rigid rules and demand obedience, creating a culture of fear rather than grace. Jesus spoke against such leaders, saying:

“They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders.” (Matthew 23:4).

True Christian leaders are called to shepherd God’s people with humility and love. Peter reminds leaders in 1 Peter 5:2-3:

“Shepherd the flock of God… not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.”

The Damage They Cause

Both bullies and controlling leaders can discourage believers, divide the church, and push people away from faith. This behavior distorts Jesus’ teaching about leadership, which is based on serving others. He said:

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26).

 

How to Address These Issues

 

1.              Pray for Wisdom: Ask God for guidance and courage to handle the situation.

2.              Confront Biblically: Follow the steps in Matthew 18:15-17, starting with a private conversation.

3.              Encourage Servant Leadership: Leaders should be reminded to follow Christ’s example of humility (Philippians 2:3-4).

4.               Ensure Accountability: Churches need systems to hold leaders and members accountable for their actions.

5.              Protect the Vulnerable: Create a safe environment where concerns can be raised without fear of retaliation.

 

A Call to Christlike Leadership

The church is Christ’s body, and its leaders should reflect His humility, grace, and love. Both bullies and controlling leaders need to repent and return to Christ’s example of servant leadership.

 Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15-16:

“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow… into Christ, from whom the whole body… builds itself up in love.”

Let us strive to make our churches places of grace, love, and unity, where Christ is glorified and His people grow together in faith.

 

#ChristlikeLeadership #GraceAndUnity #ServeLikeJesus

WHY I DON'T CELEBRATE FIESTAS

THE IDOLATRY OF PATRON

Five Reasons I Choose Not to Celebrate Fiestas

Reason #1: It's Not Biblical

Just because something is labeled as religious doesn't necessarily mean it aligns with biblical teachings. Many people follow traditions simply because they’ve always done so, without questioning their validity. When I asked why certain practices were followed, I often received the response, "Asya man an nahiaraan" (This is just what we're used to).

For Christians, the Bible is the ultimate guide for life and faith. It reveals God's will, and culture or tradition should always conform to what Scripture says is right. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us:

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

The Bible never commands us to venerate Mary. Instead, it directs us to worship God alone and to pray for the salvation of others through the Gospel, not through rituals or celebrations that focus on saints.

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Reason #2: It's Idolatry

Idolatry is the act of worshipping anything other than God. During fiestas, the emphasis is often placed on venerating Mary and celebrating the patron saint, rather than on glorifying God. Consider the questions: "Where is God in all of this?" or "Where is Jesus in this celebration?" Unfortunately, the focus often shifts from the Creator to the created. The Bible is clear in Exodus 20:3-5, warning against the worship of idols:

"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."

Psalm 115:4-8 further emphasizes the futility of idols:

"Their idols are silver and gold, the work of man's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes, but they do not see; they have ears, but they do not hear; noses, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not feel; feet, but they do not walk; they do not make a sound with their throat. Those who make them will become like them, everyone who trusts in them."

In Revelation 22:8-9, even the Apostle John is rebuked for attempting to worship an angel, reminding us that we are to worship God alone:

"I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. But he said to me, 'Do not do that! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.'"

The belief that Mary should be worshipped is a man-made doctrine, not found in the Bible. Jesus taught us to pray directly to God, not to anyone else. 1 Timothy 2:5 reminds us:

"For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."

Mary herself, in Luke 1:46-47, acknowledged her need for a Savior and gave all glory to God:

"And Mary said: 'My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.'"

If Mary were alive today, she would likely denounce the idolatrous practices associated with the veneration of saints. She recognized Jesus as her Savior, and it is only through Him that we are saved.

Idolatry is not limited to physical statues; it can also be anything that takes God's place in our hearts—such as wealth, relationships, or fame.

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Reason #3: It's Focused on People, Not God

Fiestas cater to the desires of people, offering entertainment, parades, and celebrations that center on human wants and pleasures. Sadly, these celebrations often result in negative consequences, such as excessive drinking, violence, and criminal behavior.

As followers of Christ, we are reminded to set our hearts on heavenly things rather than earthly distractions. Colossians 3:1-2 says:

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

Fiestas often lead people away from focusing on what truly matters—living for Christ and serving others.

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Reason #4: It's Not Beneficial for the Church

Our actions during fiestas can impact others in the church, especially those with weaker faith. Participating in certain practices could cause them to stumble in their walk with Christ. It’s important to remember that our decisions not only affect us but also those around us, and we should act in a way that edifies the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 8:9-13 speaks to this issue, warning that our actions could influence others who are less mature in their faith:

"But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble."

If something could cause a weaker believer to stumble, it is better to avoid it for their sake.

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Reason #5: It's Financially Irresponsible

Many people overspend during fiestas, often borrowing money to fund the celebrations, which leads to financial strain. The pressure to host a perfect celebration often results in debts that take months to pay off, turning a festive occasion into a stressful burden.

Proverbs 22:7 cautions:

"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave."

Fiestas encourage excessive spending, often at the expense of good financial stewardship. Instead of focusing on extravagant celebrations, we should prioritize spending time with loved ones and being good stewards of the resources God has given us. Additionally, the excesses of food and drink can lead to health problems, further complicating an already burdensome celebration.

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So, What Now?

Ultimately, the decision is yours. But as Christians, we are called to stand firm in the truth. It's not always easy, and we will likely face opposition when we go against the flow. The Bible can be convicting, but it also has the power to transform our hearts because it is God's Word.

We are called to shine as lights in this dark world, living for God’s glory. To do this, we must understand who Jesus truly is and believe in Him as our Savior and Lord.

Philippians 2:10-11 reminds us:

"So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

John 14:6-7 says:

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.'"

Colossians 1:15-16 declares:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him."

John 3:36 says:

"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

So, I ask you—Is Jesus truly your Lord and Savior?

OPEN BOOK

Acts 20:24 (English Standard Version)

"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

                               

OPEN BOOK

Out of darkness, God called me,

I have never been the same.

He breathe me into being,

Then death faced its end.

In this battleground of life,

His constant grace I sought.

Never once did I fought alone,

Though at times I sorely lost.

But His strength over takes,

Compels me to rise again.

He shared my blows of woes,

He also shared my pains.

"Stand firm and hit the mark!"

He said son, "I am here."

"Don’t decamp! Persevere!"

"Man up! Do not fear!"

O Lord, may I finish well,

To trust and obey Your call.

In lack, you are Sufficiency.

In life, my all in all.

Yes! May I be an open book,

Let each page tell of Your story.

The Story of Your faithfulness,

That Reveals your Great Glory!

By Kaloyski

© 2015 kaloyski (All rights reserved)

New Start

Psalms 37:23-24 (New American Standard Bible)

²³ The steps of a man are established by the LORD, 

And He delights in his way.

²⁴ When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, 

Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.

New Start

From despairs and life’s dishonors,

From the wrongs that I have made,

From every time I wasted,

From debts I haven’t paid.

From things I did so selfish,

From problems that arise,

From circumstances by nature,

That made me so unwise.

From words I said so careless,

From the pains that I have caused,

From these things I learned my lessons,

I am found and not lost.

In my life’s broken pathways,

I can hear an awful song,

But You’re with me My Refuge,

I fear not, for I’m strong.

From these are new beginnings,

For Your shining light is seen,

But O God, if I stumble

Help me rise and start again.

© 2008 kaloyski (All rights reserved)

Reminders

2 Timothy 2 (New American Standard Bible)

^8"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel"

REMINDERS

Lord remind me of the pain,

The pain that caused me gain,

The pain that broke my pride,

And made me whole again.

Lord remind me of those wounds,

Those wounds that cut my shame,

Those wounds that You have healed,

I'm never the same again.

Lord remind me of my debt,

The debt I could not pay,

The debt you freely paid,

Just to show me You’re the way.

Lord remind me of my death,

The death which you have died,

My death  I should have paid,

Your death that gave me life.

By Kaloyski

© 2013 kaloyski (All rights reserved)

RAIN

RAIN

The sky went dark after a fine day,
Then the rain began to shower with agony,
And as my lonely heart languished,
When I saw you the loneliness just vanished.
I don't know what it means to me,
My heart just fell so easily,
But I know what I feel is an irony,
For you and I are not meant to be,
And though it's not my thing to cry,
Teardrops went streaming down my eyes,
Oh, I cannot stand this awful pain,
As I see my teardrops embraced the rain.

By Kaloyski

© 2008 kaloyski (All rights reserved)

A Reflection On The Great Commission

         

         

           Christ should be the prime example of our lives, and He should be the ultimate pattern in which we do ministry and discipleship. In the Bible, we are commanded to “walk as Jesus walked” (1 John 2:6). If we pay close attention to the life that Jesus lived, we can see that He has purposefully given us a blueprint on how we can effectively cause life transformation and produce spiritual movements to fulfill the Great Commission.

           Saying that Jesus should be our prime example is easy, but living it out is hard. I am challenged by this fact because the more I know Christ, the more I see myself as far from who He is. However, this reality drives me to be humbled before our Holy God, and it causes me to indeed live by His grace through faith to experience spiritual maturity.

           Now, I can say that I am challenged Theologically, Culturally, and Socially. Theologically, I affirm that Jesus is the perfect representation from which we mortals can derive our understanding of the very essence of God. But always having a mindset like this in a postmodern world is a challenge for me. This is the reason why I need to persevere in studying His Word. Culturally, it challenges me not to put traditions as the primary basis of doing my ministry but to always place God’s Word above any tradition and practice. Socially, I am challenged on how to share what I know about Jesus with others in such a manner that will be relevant to them, considering individual differences and differing worldviews. I remember a group activity where we were tasked with arranging 40 pictures of Jesus’ life and ministry in chronological order. The activity helped me realize that I am still not well-versed in the life of Christ after my years in the Christian faith. This realization bothers me because I know that my knowledge of Christ affects my growth and the growth of my ministry.

           We really need to study the person of Jesus Christ in His very essence. Knowing Jesus will give us a proper perspective on doing ministry since the Great Commission revolves around the life of Christ here on earth. Jesus’ strategy was life in tandem with His disciples as He invested time in teaching and providing them with ministry foundations and training, exposing them to outreach, and empowering them to create movements in Christ. Therefore, I must do ministry with Christ as the center. Christ-likeness should be seen in our plans, programs, and activities. More importantly, it should be founded in light of God’s Word. As I continue to study Jesus’ life, I can draw out principles for the Great Commission that will be applicable and relevant to the needs of my generation.

           However, one question I need to answer is: How can I practically use what I’m learning about Christ’s life and ministry? And how can I contextualize it to address the needs of disciple-making and spiritual movements in the province of Eastern Samar?

           I believe that Jesus aimed for the multiplication of His disciples. In fact, the life of Jesus is a process of building a movement. However, it is important to note that multiplication was not achieved instantaneously by Jesus, even though He was God Himself. He invested His life in twelve individuals and called them His disciples. I believe He is teaching us a very important lesson: that we as Christians are people in process, and we follow God’s way through His terms and not according to our own timing because of His Lordship. To miss this concept means doing ministry hastily on our own without carefully assessing its results, and this is very detrimental.

           I hope I will not just be learning more about Jesus and miss who He really is. I hope I will not be lost in the details of Christianity. I strongly hope that I will be able to connect the dots altogether in light of the big picture of God’s plan of salvation in fulfilling the Great Commission. I hope that I will not only have head knowledge but a faithful application of this knowledge as I serve the body of Christ.

           The life of Jesus gives me confidence, knowing that God understands what I feel as a disciple-maker because He was a disciple-maker Himself. Jesus prepared Himself in doing the work of the ministry. As a disciple of Christ, I should consider every day a learning opportunity to affect movement building. I should not be overwhelmed by the greatness of the task, but by faith, I must trust the great God who enables me to do the task of the Great Commission by faithfully doing His will and following His ways one step at a time, discipling one soul at a time.