Edward Paz

Every famously toxic pastor didn't start that way. But at some point he allowed a subtle shift to take place in his heart — toxic leadership in seed form. So often, one of these seeds is a subtle sense of superiority. It's easy to miss, so we have to be alert the ways it shows up. WHY IT'S A PROBLEM At the top of the list of things that the Lord hates is “haughty eyes” (Prov 6:17), and pride is sure to draw God’s opposition (1 Pet 5:5). Jesus says that it’s possible to pray to God and yet remain condemned — if your prayer goes like this: “God, thank you that I am not like other men” (Luke 18:11). When the Apostle Peter most directly addresses church leadership, the emphasis is on humility. He calls himself a “fellow elder” (1 Pet 5:1) though he could have called himself “an apostle” or “one of Jesus’ three favorite disciples.” And he says that any church shepherd is really still under the authority of the “chief Shepherd” (1 Pet 5:4). 5 SUBTLE SIGNS OF SUPERIORITY 1) Thinking of yourself as a bit smarter, more theological, and more spiritual than others. 2) Because you often knows more about a situation than others, you treat your decision making as impeccable. 3) As a person who is often asked for guidance or counsel, you may begin to think that you are the smartest person in the room and actually have all the answers. 4) Over time, having preached hundreds of sermons or faced countless crazy situations, you may begin to trust in your own experience more than in the Spirit. 5) As the church grows and demands on your time increase, you will necessarily have to specialize and delegate less-essential tasks — but superiority is creeping in when you start to actually believe you're now better than those who are doing what you were once so willing to do. Let’s be clear: superiority is pride, which God opposes, hates, and says will lead to a fall. Let us be on guard and repent. And may we never stop praying like the tax collector of Luke 18, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."