11/15/06 Updated 12/4/06
Young men are conditioned, by the World in general and by the Evangelical Subculture in particular, to see the Christian life as a career ladder in the Church to climb for ever increasing power and prestige.
1. Pew Sitter
2. Sunday School Teacher
3. Home Fellowship Leader
4. Deacon
5. Elder
6. Professional Clergyman
7. Megachurch Pastor
8. Denominational Empire Pope
9. Celebrity Author & Speaker
10. Counselor to Presidents and the Super Rich
11. Messianic Solver of World Problems
I know. I was one of these young men. I pray our Lord Jesus will help me to whatever degree I’m still driven by selfish ambition at the age of 53.
Most young men just pursue items 1, 2, 3, and 5. Variations are when young men pursue the musician obsession for the same reasons.
Have you noticed that many young men actually appear to be “running for elder”… as if it were a political office? Well, in many churches it is a political office.
And yet, it is Biblical for a brother to desire to serve as an overseer/elder/bishop:
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” 1 Timothy 3:1
If being an elder is truly seen as an opportunity to participate, to serve, to edify, to set an example, and to help shepherd the flock, then we rejoice that brothers are motivated by love to do so.
Counterfeit Christs: Is your pastor a one-man show?
“Some of my best friends” are Clergymen
Four Ways Christians Are Deceived
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