“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Matt.23:10-12
One of the stumbling blocks today besides the hypocrisy of many believers is the self-righteous, self-centered and self-elevated leadership that has gripped much of the church today. We love to affix titles to ourselves or to our ministries rather than to don on the apron of servitude and the simple title of brother!
The five fold ministries of the church were meant to be functions not
titles, yet everywhere I look men refer to themselves as Apostle so-and-so, or
Bishop I. M. Somebody, or Prophet I. B. Praised or Elder Barry and then they name their
personal ministry after themselves ie. Billy Bigshot ministries, Mr. Megahead
Ministries International!
It sadly has become epidemic. Granted it is not as bad as the high catholic era when men referred to themselves as "Your Excellency" and "Your Holiness" but to me being referred to even as "Reverend" is a self assumption! The concept of applying ecclesiastical titles to Christian leaders was never a part of the early church nor is it ever implied outside of function in the new testament! The early church referred to themselves simply as "brother, beloved, fellow worker, slave, servant, prisoner, fellow soldier, and steward". The were even equally called "saints" meaning sanctified but never were referred to by the pompous pre-title Saint Sanctimonious. Even the apostles were never endowed with these self promoting titles.
The leaders of the early church sought honor in deeds and servitude to the Lord and His people and not in titles and positions. They were simply called by their personal names. As a pastor I often had people call me Pastor Jerry out of tradition and respect but I never solicited such an invocation but always requested that they simply call me by my name.
Jesus greatly dislike the similar Pharisee mindset:
It sadly has become epidemic. Granted it is not as bad as the high catholic era when men referred to themselves as "Your Excellency" and "Your Holiness" but to me being referred to even as "Reverend" is a self assumption! The concept of applying ecclesiastical titles to Christian leaders was never a part of the early church nor is it ever implied outside of function in the new testament! The early church referred to themselves simply as "brother, beloved, fellow worker, slave, servant, prisoner, fellow soldier, and steward". The were even equally called "saints" meaning sanctified but never were referred to by the pompous pre-title Saint Sanctimonious. Even the apostles were never endowed with these self promoting titles.
The leaders of the early church sought honor in deeds and servitude to the Lord and His people and not in titles and positions. They were simply called by their personal names. As a pastor I often had people call me Pastor Jerry out of tradition and respect but I never solicited such an invocation but always requested that they simply call me by my name.
Jesus greatly dislike the similar Pharisee mindset:
"Beware
of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love
to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important
seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.”Luke 20:46
It is so easy to get caught up in self attainment in church, especially as a leader when people look up to you but we must be careful to direct the attention to the Lord and even as the Lord may bring us elevation our attitude must always be as John the Baptist... “He must increase and I must decrease!”
It is so easy to get caught up in self attainment in church, especially as a leader when people look up to you but we must be careful to direct the attention to the Lord and even as the Lord may bring us elevation our attitude must always be as John the Baptist... “He must increase and I must decrease!”
