The Rise Of The Bully Pastor
There is a great deal in this video that we have been trying to say…not just in the current environment, but for years.
Bully pastors, especially in “non-denominational” denominations…though certainly not exclusively…are a feature, not a bug.
I’ve seen this mainly in Churches without plural Eldership at the local level for checks and balances, i.e. Lutheran., Methodist, Baptist, and other evangelical Churches.
So, instead of words of hope and consolation for people who have lost everything, Hibbs needs to take on all California politicians, “imaginative” (false) water policies, and not even mention the gospel of Christ. We will learn things from this event, but it will take a while to take it all apart. Some of the results are similar to other fires (Paradise, La Haina) except in much bigger urban space with lots of fuel to spare. Oh, and he did forget to mention that it hasn’t rained in Southern California for 11 months. I sure wouldn’t want this guy with me in the hospital if my grandmother was dying!
Hibbs is hoping to hang Democrats and moderate Republicans…
https://churchleaders.com/news/503756-california-pastor-jack-hibbs-la-wildfires-wicked-rulers.html
Linn,
I’m sure this guy stopped doing pastoral ministry long ago…unless it’s a big donor…
Charles,
I’ve seen it across the board for 25 years…
“The fact of Trump being back in office after everything that he did, after Jan. 6, after all the scandals, after being convicted of … assaulting a woman, I feel like, in many ways, that creates cultural permission structure to sweep things like this under the rug, or to just deny them,” said Taylor. Whether Daystar’s scandals will sway its loyal base, said Taylor, or whether news of the scandals will reach them at all, remains an open question.”
https://religionnews.com/2025/01/08/rash-of-charismatic-christian-celebrities-departs-daystar-amid-ongoing-scandal/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Jimmy%20Carter%20Honored%20in%20Faith-Filled%20State%20Funeral%20%7C%20Hong%20Kong%20Pastor%20Ministers%20to%20Imprisoned%20Gen%20Z%20Protester%3A%20CT%20Daily&utm_campaign=CT%20Daily%20Briefing%20-%2001-10-2025
Every time I see things like this from pastors like Hibbs, I’m separate grateful that I’m separated from Calvary Chapel as the east is from the west.
Hibbs is an a$$.
Captain Kevin should’ve tacked ‘hole’ at the end.
More accuracy and effect that way.
Hibbs and his ilk don’t want a democracy.
They want a dictatorship.
A concise, helpful video. I appreciate the contribution. There are ministries whose mindset is similar though the methods are a bit different–especially in-person vs. online.
I just saw an amazing documentary on Calvary Chapel… You can stream it on Amazon prime for $20… It’s called “Wicked!”
If Jack Hibbs’s home and church were incinerated in a California wildfire, then maybe he would get half a clue.
Muff,
If they try it, then whatever god they worship have mercy on their souls, because I and many others will not. Hibbs would be wise to remember the fate of Il Duce.
@ R’as al Ghul,
Fortunately, the men who founded our Nation could see Hibbs (and Trump) from afar, and took steps (the U.S. Constitution) to ensure that those kinds of men never achieve the power they crave.
In the Bible, there is no such thing as the rights of man (Thomas Paine).
You (generic you) were at the whim and fancy of some potentate or another, up to and including the Big Kahuna in the sky.
I have an opinion, different, might be worthless.
1. I don’t think it’s a good idea to bawl people out when they’re living in the aftermath of a disaster or when they’re in fear of that disaster that found so many others reaching them.
2. The grand error of Hibbs’ approach is that it comes off as “you’re getting what you deserve, and until you unscrew what you have screwed up, you gotta live with it.”
Here’s the problem – there is a real argument to be made that once a government and a bureaucracy is structured a certain way, it cannot be undone. Case in point, the structure of the supermajority in CA.
** Now someone will want to argue that the folks in power and the folks voting them in were only trying to do their best, these are all basically good people, don’t drag them. Ugh, okay.
Okay, I’ll drag me. The worst messes I’ve ever had in my life – spiritually, professionally, relationally, financially – were made by me “trying my best”.
I NEVER made those terrible decisions with the intention on my part to make my life *worse*. But boy, have me and my good intentions absolutely made wreckage.
And ALL of them required the grace and mercy of God.
I could NOT “un-mess” my messes. I had to cry out “Jesus sustain me through the mess I’ve made or, because You are so merciful, change my circumstance. Jesus, change me and change my circumstance. I know You are able, and even if You don’t change it, make my heart trust in you without reservation.”
So Hibbs is bawling folks out, telling them that they can’t have wholeness unless they work hard and unscrew up what they’ve already screwed up and make this worldly kingdom look like Hibbs’ version of a godly kingdom. Problem? Jesus said “My Kingdom is not of this world.”
What if what is done in CA govt. cannot be undone? What if these leaders permanently ensconce themselves in government and make it so they or their heirs keep running things exactly as they are for the next 200 years? Are we to violently overthrow the government so that we can unscrew what we’ve screwed up? That doesn’t sound very Bible-y or like anything that Jesus ever said.
Would Hibbs’ bawling out / advice be sound in Nero’s time? “Look, you gotta overthrow Nero or he’ll keep burning Christians and communites!! Until you’re willing to get rid of Nero, you gotta live with Nero!!”
Doesn’t sound very Bible-y to me. I can’t make those words fit in Jesus’ mouth or from His heart. It’s not anywhere in His word.
Instead, I am convicted and convinced to share hope that comes only in Jesus. I want to seek the kingdom of God above all else (including snazzing up this kingdom of the U.S., putting lipstick on this pig and calling it God’s Earthly Kingdom, yuck, boo) and trust that when the Son of Man (Jesus) comes at the renewal of all things, He will have His comfort and His provision for me and for everyone who is trusting in Him as Savior for forever.
I don’t see Jesus bawling anyone out – except for people like me, or how I was a few years ago – religious, having the appearance of godliness but lacking the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Knowing that Jesus’ kindness led me to repentance, I remember that Jesus didn’t bawl me out when He could have but loved me and mercifully forgave me. So my conviction is not to tell those with broken lives to hurry up and fix it or they’ll have to live with it.
My conviction is to passionately tell everyone to look to Jesus, repent, believe, and be saved. He will restore us to Himself and make our salvation complete by making His home among His people when He comes to rule and reign. Jesus, make my heart trust in You without any reservation.
Very well said, Rob.
won’t it be fun to watch the video “The Fall of the Bully Pastor?” Perhaps fun is too strong…satisfying?
fil, satisfyingly fun