AT BOSHOFF: ANOTHER TOXIC PASTOR TO MARK AND AVOID

At Boshoff Tells Church Members To Obey Him Like God

Caleb Corneloup: "In this video, we explore the critical topic of pastoral leadership through an interview with Pastor At Boshoff, who discusses the importance of surrounding oneself with loyal individuals. This discussion sheds light on potential issues within a toxic church environment, where loyalty might be mistaken for unquestioning obedience to a toxic church pastor. We examine how such dynamics can impact church growth and the overall health of the congregation, urging a reevaluation of what constitutes healthy christian leadership and pastoral ministry."

Caleb addresses the problem of toxic church leader and narcissist, At Boshoff. Boshoff is the founder and senior pastor of the Christian Revival Church (CRC) in South Africa. CRC have established a global presence in the United States, Australia and parts of Europe under the leadership of Boshoff.

Boshoff aggressively asserts many offensive doctrines that contradict the word of God. (1 Timothy 4:1). He even claims that loyalty to himself, "the man of God", should take preeminence over loyalty to Christ!

Boshoff's self-designation as "the man of God" with the article is spurious. The term“man of God” was a common Old Testament designation for a prophet or a divine messenger. The title was applied to Moses, Samuel, Elijah and Elisha. This designation was also applied to unnamed prophets, e.g. 1 Kings 13, 20:28. In the New Testament, Paul writes to Timothy and refers to him as "man of God". (1 Timothy 6:11). This term refers to Timothy as a minister of the gospel. As such, all faithful ministers may legitimately be referred to as "men of God". There is no evidence in the New Testament that any pastor or leader can elevate himself above his fellow elders and refer to himself exclusively as "the man of God". When a pastor takes on authoritative titles, it is clear evidence of arrogance and pride. (Romans 12:3; Galatians 6:3). Such a man should not be in a leadership position. (Matthew 23:8). 

Boshoff: "You are called to the man and then the plan, you are called to the man and then the vision..." Again, this is spurious. Believers are called primarily into fellowship with Jesus Christ.

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:9)

And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30).

But we should always thank God for you, brothers who are loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctification of the Spirit and by faith in the truth. / To this He called you through our gospel, so that you may share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (Colossians 1:18).

Boshoff: "If you can't serve your pastor or your leader who you can see, then you can't serve God
who you can't see."

This is a distortion of 1 John 4:20 >  If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17).

Hebrews 13:17 is often weaponised by abusive leaders and taken out of context. However, believers should consider the sum of God's word, not distortions of individual verses. (Psalm 119:160). Believers are not called to blind obedience to any man. Without discernment or critical thinking, blind obedience is extremely dangerous and, in many cases, leads to spiritual abuse and control. 

In context, Hebrews 13:17 is conditional upon the faithfulness of leaders: Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Hebews 13:7,9).

Paul instructed the Corinthians to follow his example as he follows Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1 cf. 1 John 2:6). He also said: But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! / As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse! (Galatians 1:8-9).

Paul's writings contain persistent cautions to test the spirits and to practice discernment. 

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11).

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1 cf. Matthew 7:15-20).

All true believers have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit and should not defer to any man before Christ.

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.. (1 John 2:20).

I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (1 John 2:26-27).

Boshoff's divorce in October 2024, after thirty years of marriage, was kept hidden until recently. 

The Christian Post: "Despite historically preaching that marriage is a lifelong, permanent union based on God's original design, influential South African megachurch pastor, At Boshoff, has quietly divorced his wife..

Boshoff’s divorce also comes years after Zimbabwean-born self-styled prophet and religious leader King Jay Israel claimed in May 2022 that Boshoff committed adultery and he and Nyretta had split three years prior."1

1. South African megachurch pastor At Boshoff divorces wife after more than 30 years of marriage

Topical Bible: The Man of God