"So the pastor has a core of 12 men who are expected to be loyal to him. Then each has his own 12 men loyal to them. They follow him because he knows their secrets," a friend explained the set-up of a church to me.

 

Jesus never taught the church to be beholden to a leader; He called us to encourage one another (Heb 10:25). Yes, we may have different positions like pastor, Sunday School teacher, or usher but we are all equal. It's just our functions that are different. The higher the position, the greater the responsibilities and the accountability. The one who occupies the highest position is the servant of all (Mark 9:35). Any group (organized church or a simple bible study) that has a lesser mandate is cultish.

 

In 1 Cor. 11:1, the apostle Paul wrote, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Note that he didn't call for blind loyalty.

We can imitate Paul because he himself followed and imitated Christ. He did not hold the dirty secrets of Silas, Luke, Priscilla, and Aquilas to force them into blind obedience. They freely followed him because he was making them disciples for Christ. And that's what makes a true pastor or teacher. S/he points us to Jesus who must increase as we decrease in glory that all people that can see in us is our wonderful Lord and Savior.