The Elder

Hello everyone. The elder. In this religious organization or ministry, the top of the hierarchy is the Presiding Elder. Saints have no official position within the ministry, the layman. There are those that do work in the ministry such as audio workers, security, computer staff, teachers, admins, call center, musicians, singers, altar workers, and those that work in their official outreach ministry. I’m sure I’ve missed some workers but you get the picture.

I once had an aspiring minister in this organization say to me, if you aren’t doing work in the ministry you are wasting time, wasting God’s time. The hierarchy is at work in the minds of those who are part of the organized church of the world. One man esteems himself higher than others because he has a title or a position of a worker. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:1-5 KJV

The Elder and Hierarchy

The aspiring ministers, those aspiring to become ordained ministers. The Elders, male ordained ministers, and Evangelists, female ordained ministers (this cannot be supported by scripture). Elders and Evangelists should be persons of age and spiritual experience. We are instructed by Paul not to give the office of a bishop which can be parallel to an elder to the novice, young men in their 20s, 30s, etc. This ought not to be. “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:6 KJV

The Presiding Elder once referred to himself as the head man in charge. He said God called him to be an elder, not a pastor. He was also a young elder, a novice. Yet now that he has his own organization, he has positioned himself in the administrative office of a pastor but recognizes himself as the Presiding Elder. This hierarchy is not based on the Word of God at all! There is no hierarchy in the Church of the Living God. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-14 KJV

The Pride of Life

The Presiding Elder is an intelligent man, studious and well-versed in scripture. He believes greatly in higher education. Degrees give you the ability to get a good-paying job. That meant you could have a financially stable life without struggle. The higher the degree the better. He is a strong advocate for homeowners. Buy a house. Why make someone else rich paying rent? Own your own. Drive nice cars, be successful in life, and strive to go higher to excel. He likes high-quality possessions. Which of course usually meant expensive and name-brand items. You want things that are well made, take care of them and they will last you a long time.

Quality in groceries is also something he believes in. Many food products he promotes are pretty costly but he boasts about their value. Expensive food is for the elite a select group. Men and women of God should not promote such a concept. Nor should we strive to be part of that elite group, for the Love of Money is the root of all evil. In this ministry, the poor were prayed for to cast out a spirit of poverty. Is that scriptural? This mentality promotes Pride in Life. Our Lord and Savior said, The poor we will have with us always. We should have a mindset of giving and helping those who are poor and poor in spirit for “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17 KJV “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:16 KJV

The Fruit of the Spirit?

The elder is a charismatic teacher with a sense of humor. He does not take it well being challenged on anything including topics pertaining to the scripture. It did not turn out well for those who attempted to challenge him. He is also proud, controlling, meticulous, temperamental at times, arrogant, and intimidating; combined with the physical attributes of a man 6+ feet tall and a bit overweight. It’s not a wonder that many are afraid of him. Men and women alike, I was! ²⁵ “The fear of man bringeth a snare:
but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.” Proverbs 29:25-26 KJV

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26 KJV

sister Brenda