Tough, true words from Scott Williams

many pastors believe, down deep, that they are the first among equals.

it's a subtle, subconscious thing. we preach our entire lives about how we are one, how we are all equal in god's sight, though down deep we feel 'called'. we understand that people notice us. at pastor's conferences we joke about how pastors used to be powerful - and secretly yearn for the days when our words were taken more seriously. outwardly we truly believe that we are only one part of the body, though inwardly we know better.

you are sheep. sheep need to be told what to think. you never seem to get so much of what we are trying to tell you. we are higher on maslow's pyramid than you are. week after week we leave frustrated that so many of the congregation is not growing, is not learning, is content to bleat. at minister's retreats we strategize how to motivate you lazy people. we complain and gossip about your shortcomings. we bemoan how hard it is to equip you to "do the work of ministry".

i was wrong but not completely guilty. i was put on a pedestal and though i knew better i let it happen. i wore my humility like a crown and by pointing out how i was one of you, i showed how i was not.

I worked in churches for ten years. I am still in a "ministry type" position. I deal with this in my own heart all the time, and I've seen it in others. The church likes people who seem to know what they're talking about, and there are those of us who are more than glad to fill the position. Sad co-dependancy at it's most religious. If we are all the same from God's view, then we all need to start acting like it, and that starts with the religious leaders, perhaps the pharisees of the day, in this case.