How do you refer to your pastor?

[zealyouthguy]

I don't see anyone in this thread "demanding" it. I don't get upset with someone who calls me something else. It is however, a term of respect that is assumed when one takes the position of Pastor. It does not have to be earned as some have said. The world understands this, but we as Christians just don't get it. Unsaved people all over the US refer to God's man as Pastor, Reverend, or Father; but Christans just want to call him "first name". Pastors have gotten to the point where we don't want people to call us pastor. In my opinion, it is because we want people to see us as just another guy.

I am sorry to break the news, the pastor is not just another guy. He is the shepherd, the overseer, the elder. All of these are positions of authority. Christians today are not willing to submit to pastoral authority in part because the pastor has dumbed his position in the church down to just another guy in the church.

Ask any preacher who has been in the ministry for 40-50 years and see what their answer is. I have asked a number of preachers I know who have been in the ministry for this long and the answer comes back clear. My name is Pastor Last Name.

Firstly I said "I" wouldn't demand it. What others do... that's up to them. My point was about ME!

Secondly, I am glad you say "in my(your) opinion" because you are absolutely wrong from people like myself and others I know who feel ok with people calling us by our first names. You can project whatever feelings you have on it, but it has more to do with avoiding the arrogance that people seem to assume when many of them become "pastors" instead of shepherds. And trust me, your idea of "dumbing down" the position of pastor is rather obtuse. The church(the people), most of the time, realize how much of a regular man pastors are long before many of the pastors ever admit it.

I am interested in what your interpretation of pastoral authority is though.

[JerryNumbers]

Mitch, that's true, I have notice several people who do not attend church call me Brother Jerry, yet many people who attends church services fail to use Brother or anything else when addressing me.

Now in saying this, I am not including our church members, for 100 % of them refer to me as Brother Jerry or Brother Smith.

Its true, some try to be just one of the guys and lose respect for the position.

I recall well, back in the 50's 60's every time my father or mother ever spoke to and or referred to a pastor it was always Brother ________! And the same goes for me even until this day.

Thru the time after I surrendered to preach and I was called to pastor a church I was around several different churches and their pastors, many times I heard church member refer to their pastor by his first name, them out of respect for me, I suppose, being as I was a visiting preacher brining the message they called be Brother Smith.

We are in the day of dressing down to attend church services and of throwing respect out the window as well.
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[Jerry]

I am sorry to break the news' date=' the pastor is not just another guy. He is the shepherd, the overseer, the elder. All of these are positions of authority.[/quote']

That is an excellent point that we often overlook. He is not more important in God's eyes - as in some kind of super special Christian or somehow worth more to God - but a true man of God is worthy of more honour.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

[JerryNumbers]

I didn't think of this, perhaps I should have put Dr. I know that some who have the degree like for Dr. to be put in front of their name.

To me, my opinion only, Brother & or Pastor shows more respect than Dr.

[BumInABox]

If we're talking about the pastor we refer to him as Brother John, but if we're speaking to him we call him Dr. Morgan.

[JerryNumbers]

Flattering Titles

http://www.baptistpillar.com/bd0486.htm