Have you ever been talking to someone before or after a church service, when you notice them glancing around? Does it feel like they're scanning the crowd for someone more important to talk to? Could be your insecurity talking. Or you could be exactly right. When we hear the word elitism, we tend to think of the wealthy and powerful, the ones calling the shots, or in our minds, anyway. But the attitude exists all around us, in the most unlikely and ordinary places.
We've all known people who thought they were just a little better than others. We've seen it in politics and college football. Sort of kidding about the football...maybe. We've seen the big fish in the small towns who seem to run everything and get exactly what they want. We've seen politicians, already wealthy and some who just keep getting wealthier (how does that work again?), make decisions that had everything to do with themselves and nothing to do with their constituents.
We've seen it in people who just knew their political and/or religious views were superior to that of others. The patronizing tone of how they just didn't know, and how this is the only way. Of course, we all think we're right and others are wrong about these sorts of things, or we wouldn't believe the way we believe. However, how we treat others in the disagreements is very telling. Are you condescending and arrogant? Or have you learned how to state your opinion in confidence, but with compassion and respect for others?
The worst place an elitist attitude can exist is in the church. You see it the attitudes of Christians toward non-Christians. You see it across denominational lines, from what we think is so much more evolved, intelligent, holy, etc than that church over there, to even believing we are the only ones going to Heaven! I have certain things I look for in a church, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, it becomes foul smelling when I use my church membership to place myself higher in an imaginary hierarchy of Christianity. There may be things that other churches teach that I believe to be errant, but that doesn't mean the people in that church don't know the Lord, or that there may not be something I could learn from them.
Another way I see elitism rearing its ugly head inside the church is people seeking out church leadership for close friendships because it makes them look good or feel important. I call this Church Social Ladder Climbing. I do understand that if people are already in leadership roles together, or any other position where they work closely together, they naturally are going to have closer relationships. I also understand guarding our hearts and choosing those we associate with carefully. But when we prematurely judge based on social standing, we could be missing a huge blessing. When we use others to elevate ourselves, that reeks of insincerity and egotism. Sometimes, Christians can have the biggest entitlement issues. God exalts the humble and opposes the proud. Do not think more highly of yourselves than you ought.
Peace, Love, and Jesus.
PS: If you are leadership, don't act like a rock star who has to have a certain color of M&Ms backstage.
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