I read this story once of a poor woman who tried to join a church in the wealthier part of town. When her application for membership was denied, she asked the pastor for the reason. He told her to go home and pray about it and the Lord would reveal the answer. Several months later the pastor ran into the woman in the lobby of a hotel where she worked as a maid. The pastor inquired, "I haven't seen you in church lately, tell me, when you went home to pray, did the Lord speak to you?" The cleaning lady answered, "Yes he did. He told me to not feel too bad about being rejected for membership because he tried to join your church for 20 years before he finally gave up."
Such is the case with many churches that pride themselves in super-spiritualism, hard-core teaching, or some other elite type of status intended to somehow "raise" themselves above other Christians. They set standards for others -- whether intellectually, educationally, spiritually, or financially. Eventually an exclusivity sets in which is difficult to penetrate. It's one of the reasons many churches fail to grow.
In 2 Corinthians 1:24, Paul provides an example to those who are tempted to judge others: "Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm." In other words, if we want to be true spiritual leaders, then we will not seek authority or lay burdens upon anyone else. We will stand firm beside our brothers and sisters in Christ for encouragement, support, and reinforcement. Do we do this so we are in a better position to judge and condemn? No, it is so in faith another's joy might be made full. Examine your own position. Is it above or beside? What is your motivation? One seeks authority, the other chooses to support. Do you need a leadership change?
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