The Pulpit Bully

Have you ever cringed while listening to a sermon and afterward felt that your spirit was harmed rather than helped? If so, it might be because the preacher is a bully.

These types of preachers are aggressive in seeking to dominate others. They are often strident in their pronouncements. But, just as many of them are sly and secretly persuasive.

Preaching bullies do not preach the Bible properly, nor usually accurately. They confuse their role of faithful persuasive application with the Holy Spirit’s role of conviction and changing the heart.

There are at least three indicators of bullying from the pulpit, corresponding to their designs upon others’ thoughts, feeling and behaviors.

Control Thoughts

A pulpit bully uses his position of power and his knowledge to impose his viewpoint as the only option when there are other options. He draws unnecessary lines in the sand, mocks other viewpoints and casts suspicion on those who hold other views than his own. He prefers that people don’t think for themselves.

Instead, the preacher should help us think well biblically. He should respect other legitimate Christian viewpoints. He should take the opportunity to model for us how to rejoice in the richness of God’s Word and the glory of Christ.

Manipulate Feelings

A pulpit bully uses his platform to push people around until they feel the way he does about things. He moves people’s passions into conviction on some matters and not on others, until their emotions match his own. He defines the fruits of the Spirit in terms of his own character development, and denies and chides the experience of others.

Instead, the preacher should acknowledge the valid range of human emotions. He should respect people and the working of the Holy Spirit in His People. He should take the opportunity to celebrate the powerful purifying presence of the Spirit working Christlikeness in us.

Conform Behaviors

A pulpit bully uses his privilege to relentlessly advance his agenda and pressure others to get his way. He criticizes misbehavior at length, persists in addressing the same set of life issues and coerce our choices by fear. He works people over so they all look, speak and behave in a prescribed manner.

Instead, the preacher should trust his congregation and their spiritual judgment. He should not be afraid of disagreement or diversity. He should be patient with people as our heavenly Father is patient. He should take the opportunity to honor the lifelong process of Christian growth.

Advice to the Battered Ones

The Apostle Paul instructs pastors to pursue a different path: 1 Timothy 1:5 ESV “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”

Bullying is using one’s position and power to intimidate and keep others in a position of weakness. Pulpit bullies do this through preaching. They do not respect the Word of God, the People of God, not really even God Himself!

If you face a bully in the pulpit week after week, just leave and find a preacher who thinks more highly of the calling of preaching. If not, you could end up destined to live life as a weak and abused Christian. Find a healthy godly church with a preacher that brings blessing and healing into your soul through the true Word of God.