Riding the high horse.

Arrogance diminishes wisdom, Arabian quote

The last place on earth that a haughty, arrogant attitude should persist is in the church, especially from clergy. True, clergy are only human but it seems to me that one must do sufficient inward work to diminish the compulsion to think more highly of oneself than one ought especially when dealing with the heart and souls of others. The church is a place where we should take off our masks of superiority and relinquish our need to prove that we are right, for according to Camus, it is a sign of a vulgar mind. Don’t get me wrong, I am not suggesting that we take on a form of hypocritical humility, I am saying that we ought to do our inward work so that the vulgar mind will not spew poison into the lives of others.

It is very difficult to empty oneself when one is so full of oneself.

Why is it that clergy is often the least healthiest of all those in the church? A tragedy in the church is that the church has not often held clergy accountable for their actions and attitudes. It is unjust to allow clergy to run amuck. One way we do this is by tolerating arrogance from clergy. No wonder many in the church are walking away. Many parts of the church needs to do an intervention on its clergy and send them to 28 day rehab for their soul. No where in my ordination vows does it tell me that I have all power and am the voice of God for all people. My vows say that in all that I do, I am to nourish Christ’s people from the riches of his grace, and to strengthen them to glorify God. There is no clause that says "when I feel like or to those I think deserve it."

We should deal with our fear and little ego (or big ego depending on how you look at it) so that we will trust God to define for us our sense of self and not our position or accomplishments. I wonder how many times someone has encountered arrogant clergy only to walk away damaged and more hurt as a result. As a church I don’t think we should tolerate arrogance, especially from clergy. We are representing Christ to the world. In the Christian world, arrogance (or a form of arrogance) is what took the world down… and it wouldn’t surprise me if arrogance is what takes the institutional church down.

During my advertising career I had the opportunity to work with many people who were successful by the world’s standards. The most successful people I worked with were often the most humble and gracious. Sure they were confident in their ability and proud of their accomplishments; this is what allowed them to be humble and gracious—they were secure in whom they are as people. The most arrogant people I have encountered are often the most insecure people. Someone once said that snobbery is a form of arrogance of those who are not sure of their position.

Jesus instructed folks to let their light shine and to be the salt of the earth. Jesus never said to act like ass toward those you think are beneath you. As a matter of fact, if you think there are folks beneath, most likely have no true spirituality. Jesus would probably hand you and towel and a bucket and tell you to get busy.