Spiritual Fathers are abusing their authority

Defining spiritual abuse

Anything that is taken to the extreme is abuse. Spiritual abuse has been defined as the use of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices to control and dominate a person. Mark Dejesus says that it is abusive if a spiritual father hovers over your every move like a helicopter mom, trying to micromanage and control.

He advises watching out for the master-slave mentality. If you have to run everything you do by your spiritual father as if you are not capable of making your own decisions, then there is a problem.

Unusual requirements

There is a saying that respect must be earned and not demanded. Abusive spiritual fathers demand respect and then tell you exactly what to do that will please them and how much money to give. This is not allowing people to give as they have purposed in their own hearts. (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Name dropping

I read the book, "Going to church to catch hell," by Kermeshea Hilliard, the daughter of Bishop IV Hillard. Her book opened my eyes to some things I had not been aware of. She said that her father required all of the ministers in the church to mention his name each time they gave a message in another venue.

Some pastors mention that Apostle Paul referred to Timothy as his son, which scholars indicate was because of their close father-son relationship. Today, this has turned into some preachers talking more about those who serve them or whom they serve than the word of the Lord.

Paying for protection

I once heard a prominent Bishop say that one of his sons in ministry would send him $1,000 every month, and he could count on it. I was shocked because Jesus said to look out for the poor, and this Bishop was known to be a millionaire.

I liken this to the mob extorting money to protect people in certain neighborhoods. Decades ago I went to a ministry website where a popular Bishop offered spiritual covering to those who connected with him through giving. it was $100.00 to join and $50.00 annually.

Those who were under his covering also had to promise to send a monthly donation of their choice. This Bishop is now retired, and his daughter has taken over the church, so I wonder who is covering all those preachers now? I have found no scripture in the Bible that says you have to pay another preacher to cover you if you are in ministry.

Spiritual covering

What gives any one person the right to lord themselves over others and claim they have the authority to cover you spiritually if you pay them? Christ paid the cost for us on Calvary, and we are not our own but His.

We do not belong to pastors, but in certain denominations, the pastors visit each other's churches, reiterating that the members are to obey and not question their particular leader.

Spiritual fatherhood can be abused

According to Jeremy Myers (Pastoral Power and Spiritual Fatherhood), spiritual fatherhood can be abused. Meyers points to 1 Corinthians 4:15-16, 11:1, Philippians 2:22, 4:9, and 2 Timothy 3:10, 14 where Apostle Paul refers to those who are learning from him as spiritual sons.

Myers says that there are pastors who use this to force people to obey their every command. He says that Paul operated as a servant while many of those today who call themselves spiritual fathers are abusing their children by lording the position over them.

Myers points out that Paul never demanded that anyone listen to him alone, as happens with some preachers today, and emphasizes that Jesus said in Matt 23:8-11 to call no man father.

Jeremy Myers also indicates there is a difference between mentoring someone and being considered as their spiritual father. He says the demands of obedience are not how Paul or Jesus operated, and believers in Christ should be careful of those making demands.

Paying a spiritual father

I recall being in a church where the members were asked to donate $,5000 to the spiritual father of the pastor for a special occasion. Just imagine how much money this man would have had if many churches had complied with this command.

Abusive pastors come across in a manner that makes the members believe they owe it to them to give them large monetary donations, as well as the preachers who are over top of them. This is a Ponzi scheme where the person on the top gets the money flowing from every stream.

Keep Jesus first

Preachers who ask subordinates to drop their name, give them extra money, and obey their every command put the focus on the spiritual leader. I Timothy 2:5-6 reveals there is one Mediator between man and God-Jesus. Also consider 1 Peter 5:3, KJV.

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