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Post by krazeeboi on Jul 13, 2011 17:13:11 GMT -5
A good friend and I were having this conversation the other day. Where did this whole thing about using the term "elect lady" as another term for first lady/the pastor's wife come from? The term only appears once in scripture, 2 John 1:1: "The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth." And it's not clear who the term refers to. At most, it just seems to be a euphemism for the church but the last thing it seems to be referring to is the pastor's wife.
This is just one of the newest Black church fads (because you really don't see this sort of thing in predominantly White churches) that just irks the living DAYLIGHTS out of me.
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Post by Nikkol on Jul 14, 2011 6:57:03 GMT -5
<<looking at screen name>> At first I thought you were talking to me personally....LOL.
Well, as one that uses this "term" and have been using this since GFDM started (10 years ago), I personally don't like the term "first lady" because I'm the ONLY one. But for the most part, everyone calls me "Lady" which is fine....
At the same time, one can at least say that "elect lady" is a term used in scripture...either way it does change/take away from anything....but I know I wasn't the first to use that terminology...and since I've been using it for 10 years, I KNOW it's not all that new; maybe just something you're hearing more of?
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Post by krazeeboi on Jul 14, 2011 10:48:39 GMT -5
Oh no, I wasn't talking about anyone in particular. And I meant "new" in a relative sense; 10 years counts, LOL.
It's a biblical term, but there's no way to know exactly what it refers to since it only occurs one time. I doubt that it refers to the pastor's wife because in the time of the New Testament church, there was no one pastor/elder. I'm not really understanding what you mean with your interpretation of "first lady." Unless your church is made up of exclusively men, then I'm not sure how you're the only one. Yes you're your husband's only lady, but that's not how the term is meant. It means you're first among the other ladies within the church ("first among equals"), but not in a wifely sense.
At any rate, I think we have enough titles in the (Black) church as it is.
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Post by anointedteacher on Jul 15, 2011 15:33:31 GMT -5
The Greek word for Elect, is eklektos, mean chosen excellent, Pre-eminent..
Elect lady in 2John was an honorable woman,
*who may have been a pastor and had a church in her house.
* John didn't mention anything about her husband, so I believe she was a widow with children. *
*If she wasn't a pastor, she just probably entertained ministers and traveling evangelist in her home.
Nothing wrong with title. Nikkol I remember when you first posted about being Elect Lady... LOL Me, I rather be call Sister Melinda and call everyone whatever they want to be call... What I don't like is when it is use to abuse (emotionally, spiritually) or to talk on others.
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Post by krazeeboi on Jul 21, 2011 1:36:28 GMT -5
No there's nothing wrong with titles in and of itself, but the Black Pentecostal/neo-Pentecostal church in particular is overly infatuated with them. For instance, I remember when pastors had to be truly seasoned in the ministry to be ordained bishop and consecrated apostle. Now you have 20-somethings who have barely been in the ministry with no training calling themselves by these titles. I just don't get it.
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Post by stillfocused on Jul 21, 2011 10:24:50 GMT -5
I don't understand it either. I remember a time when the Pastor's wife was the Pastor's wife and she received honor just as he did. Nowadays..first lady seems to be a term that you'd better call the pastor's wife. Krazeeboi...many believe that the titles entitles them to be first among their brothers and sisters and more successful. Many want the recognition the title brings...but, they don't want to go through the progress. I know someone who believed they were called to one of those offices..and their overseer did not believe they were ready and they pulled out from that covering and found someone who would.....scary. Things like this breeds disobedience and many are wondering why disobedience won't leave their church..
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