I came across an interesting article in the New York Times the other day where they addressed a potential sex scandal possibly involving “bishop” Eddie Long, a pastor of a 25,000 member church in Georgia. (Other have addressed this here, here, and here)

Whether he actually was involved in this scheme time will tell! Truth will come to the light and the truth will set us free (who will be admitted I don’t know!)

Last week I have been part of Facebook discussion among mainly Africa American Christians and leaders who were discussing the use of titles like “bishop, shepherd, Arch bishops, prophets and the likes. My response among 30+ responses was:

“I am a pastor of a church in the most secularized nation in the world: Sweden. I have always asked people to call me John, my first name. Since I am pastoring a multi-cultural church with people from over 50 nations there are people who call me pastor, not because I want it, but because they want to do that out of reference. This includes also new converts and former Muslims. I will not correct them if they want to call me pastor, but will always present myself as John to them.

The problem with the titles is that many leaders want to have the benefit and status of the “office” but don’t want to identify with its basic calling; that of a servant as is so well pointed out by a number of you and the article. But let’s be honest about another issue as well; I have only lived in the US for one year (and thus might be biased) but I feel that the members in the churches give nourishment to this “status exaltation” – many people in different communities want their pastors and leaders to have a status among them because for some strange feeling it seems that it makes them feel better? So-called charisma, titles and degrees seem to be of utmost importance and thus everyone nourishes this weakness that has crept into the church. So society, so the church! If we all would be less impressed by titles and degrees in general it would not creep into the church as it has done!

In the wake of this discussion more and more information was spread about “bishop” Eddie Long who took the opportunity to speak out in the earlier mentioned article in the New York Times saying:

“We’re not just a church, we’re an international corporation,” he told the newspaper in justifying his compensation. “We’re not just a bumbling bunch of preachers who can’t talk and all we’re doing is baptizing babies. I deal with the White House. I deal with Tony Blair. I deal with presidents around this world. I pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation.”

In my opinion, there are too many “I”s in “Eddie”: “I” deal with the White House, “I” deal with Tony Blair. “I” deal with presidents around this world. “I” pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation.”

It is good that Jesus is not in his grave anymore otherwise he would turn over in his grave if he had to listen to such lack of wisdom and discernment on behalf of a “bishop”.  Does the rubbing of shoulders with the mighty and “wise” of the world allow us to remove ourselves from the position of servants in the Church of Jesus Christ? Aren’t we as leaders only stewards of the ministry that Jesus has entrusted to us or are we lord’s? And aren’t we supposed to continue His mission in His image and on His conditions? (Phil 2).

Some of the foundational values that we teach in our church (www.newlife.nu) about how members and visitors are to consider the leadership:

1. Not to treat them as infallible 1 Timothy 5:20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
2. Not in the place of Christ Matthew 23:8-12 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
3. They are servants, not masters Luke 22:26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

We need to go back where it all started: With Jesus Christ, who became flesh among us exposed to political, religious and military powers, born in a stable, who, at times, did not have a place to put his head to sleep.

I don’t know what will happen with Eddie Long in connection to the accusations which has brought him in the center of attention of the world press, but I dare to say that somewhere, sometime, he has lost touch with (God’s) reality in regards to his place and his position in God’s plan.

That’s the Way I see it (and I am not always right!)

John