Dear Pastor Whoever

Dear Pastor Whoever….

Elitism. I want you to consider elitism. Why? Because I want you to see what you may not see. You must know if you have, or have not, been infected by this vile ailment so prominent in leadership, be it secular or religious. Why? Because in your future is the judgment seat of Christ. If so contaminated, it’s best to deal with it beforehand. Amen?Elitism: “consciousness of or pride in belonging to a select or favoured group.” You certainly belong to a “favoured group”. You are the central figure in the congregation. You wield much power. You are considered more than Lord Jesus. Your salary sets you apart, as does your credentials and titles. It’s a heady thing to be called “Pastor” thousands of times throughout the year. But none of these – the salary, the credentials, the titles – are as dangerous as the pulpit. The pulpit makes little gods out of the ordinary. Every Sunday you have an attentive audience. You are esteemed. Influential. Loved and admired. Please note, Pastor Whoever, the ugly word “pride” in the above dictionary definition. That word should scare every religious leader. Those infected with elitism don’t realize it because it came upon them in such small increments as to be unnoticed. The pharisee did not become a pharisee overnight. He once thought of himself as a servant of God and the people, not a chieftain. Please note: It was the elite who had Jesus crucified. It was the elite who harassed Paul. It was the elite who tortured the reformers. Today it is the evangelical elite who introduce the convert to religion, who implement the dreadful evangelical tithe, who build pompous buildings.

My brother, have you, like most in leadership, been infected with elitism? Talk it over with Lord Jesus.

Yours in Him,

Larry Jones