GET A LIFE

I love Long Island, but some aspects of the church scene here drive me insane.

Today I read an announcement of a one day seminar in Brooklyn for Bishops, Senior Pastors and Leaders and here's what ticks me off.

It used to be that whenever a bunch of pastors of sad to mediocre churches got together here, they would make sure to introduce themselves as THE Senior Pastor of their church - guess they didn't want to be confused with lesser mortals in their own eyes, like Associate Pastors, Assistant Pastors or God-forbid, Youth Pastors - making a point of letting you know their rank.

I hate that kind of self-elevation. It is so foreign to the nature of Jesus that it stinks.

But now it seems that an elite few have chosen to take things to an even lower level of unbiblical self-elevation by assuming the title of Bishop. It's an idea that's gaining popularity around the Island.

Poor, insecure guys!

So don't I believe in bishops? Of course I do. In the New Testament the terms elder, bishop and overseer are interchangable - and they're all functions of pastors.

We don't need people with titles. We need people who get on with the job.

Pastor, Senior Pastor, Bishop - who cares?

By the way, I'm Roger - plain and simple!