"The Calling To The Ministry"

The Evangelical's sin of partiality is shown in the way they raise elders above other Christians by how they describe their position (career): "the calling to the ministry".

There is one faith, one calling, one Lord, one body of doctrine, one baptism. Yet "pastors" and those wanting to be "pastors" talk about THE calling to THE ministry, as if it's of special distinction.

Jas 2:1 My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

1Co 12:22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary;

1Co 12:23 and those members of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly members come to have more abundant seemliness,

1Co 12:24 whereas our seemly members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked,

1Co 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

Mar 10:42 And calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.

Mar 10:43 "But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;

Mar 10:44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. We don't see that in Evangelicalism. We see elders flying around in first class, given posh houses, cars, offices. We see them get the best seats in the *house*; get free sporting events tickets, Disneyland tickets (nearly $150 per ticket now), kitchen remodels, houses bought, loans given (never to be repaid); conferences, meals (called "ministry") all paid for by the church.

They are considered the only ones who really know the Word and can interpret it correctly--everyone else is held in low regard and patronized at best (which is derision). They are believed over and above non-seminary, non-network Christians. When shown their sin, there is at attempt at justifying,cover up, slander, gossip, threats and the casting away of those who brought it to their attention--even removing them from their jobs ("ministry") (or attempting to), using family members against them, or using family members to shield them. They double dip: salary pay plus "honorariums" when feeding everyone else's flock while away from their own. They get all of this tax-free, while the sheep don't. They are shielded from true persecution while their pack of elders circle around a true sheep of Christ as they plan their attack on him or her and assault them. Yet none of them live lives of true suffering and persecution (being confronted is twisted into "persecution" which then is more sin). They want the benefits of being a shepherd but none of the true hardships and vigorous testing that true ones welcome.