I have noticed in my reaseach and studying that many people don't know what the term "pastor" truly is in the biblical sense. I have been called pastor and many time my father has been called reverend. ANd I have to correct people on that and the look at me funny when I do. Futhermore, they also will use names that were never given to nor applied to mankind such as "reverend" (applies only God and His state of being - Psa. 111:9). Take a look at this order of hiearchy...from what I found on Wikipedia (and other sites confirmed it) on the term "reverend"...

Where did mankind get the authority for this?? I can't see it nor find it! As the Bible states though we are all simply Christians (Acts 11:26) and we are all saints (1 Cor. 1:2) and note to be voted to become a saint AFTER death as some denominations do.

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

If there are any that can show the use of titles in the Bible from a denomination that are biblical and why (with proof from scripture), please do. If not, I suspect that they are all made for man's elevation and the Bible is true when it speaks of those who of the body of Christ being simply brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN!!!

This includes "pulpit" minister, "youth" minster, then pay them differently and lift one up above the other. Also, "director" to women or any member who is supposed to be a fellow servant.

No matter if a person is more knowledgable than another, we are to never lift ourselves above another and add titles to someone, like a fleshly corporation of the world. We lower the church body in such a way to the standards of the world.

Mark 9:35
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Yes, it does...I am simply a minister. We all have work to do and we can give DEFINITIONS to the what we do BUT to use them as titles is wrong!

I am simply brother White or even brother Dwayne...

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

When I see any so called discription in the bible, it is just that, a description or designation, not a title to uplift any person. That is why a deacon means "servant" elder is older and a minister, well, he minsters to people and the flock.

To add hierarchy goes against the most basic of teaching from Jesus and the very nature of Who He is, a servant. May we spend more time washing each others feet and asking what we can do for the other, rather than what can I do in the congregation to rise above the rest or get some kind of title of honor and position.

Oh, I know they will say, oh no..this is not the case, we are humbled to have such a title, it only is what I do, I am not above anyone. Those that say such things decieve themselves.

There is no ground for them to stand on scripturally. I have had a discussion with an elder in oklahoma that defends with all his heart their "director" title given to a woman in their congregation over the childrens educational area and school they run. He could not answer my question about, what if a man wants to teach in a kids class, does he not have to obey her and her direction for the class? He talked around it and called it expendiency.

Pews and air conditioning is expendiency, God's body and organizational design is another. One is a fleshly thing relating to comfort and opinion, the other is God's utterances and pattern. It is about respecting Him. The sin is not making her a director but instead it is in the attitude toward God that we can throw away a lot of His pattern and instruction in the name of "whatever" reason they give.

Titles are of the world...period. Good job bringing this up. I know even with sound brethren, this is a touchy subject. I am not saying they are all going to hell that add titles and mis-use such but only that they could end up dead if they are not careful because the root of such things is fleshly and is but a poison seed and door through which many a demon can waltz through unhindered. Many have already.

If we are truly seeking FIRST the KINGDOM and His RIGHTEOUSNESS, we will care about how the kingdom is following the pattern of the Kingdom.

Of course, when asked do I know what a cardinal is, I replied, "Do you mean the bird or the baseball team?"

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

I was in the bible department at oklahoma christian university back in 89' and walked by a bible professor..I said, "hi brother"...he said "its not brother to you, it's 'doctor'! I was :holycow:

What is higher a recognition than calling a fellow brother in Christ, brother?

Years later after I got my masters degree, I told my uncle, who is a MD doctor this story and he said next time if this ever happens, you can tell him, "I will call you doctor if you call me master"...

I think this degree stuff is out of hand and is fleshly. Yes, school is good for learning but not always good for the spirit. If we gain all the letters in the world after our name but loose our soul, what good is it?

OC has gone so liberal, they have become an enemy of the church. I have nothing to do with them and would encourage no one to send their kids there if they value their soul. It is not about being around sinners but instead, we should not throw out kids to the wolves that try to act like they are one of us, only to go after the young and weak, which OC, harding, Abilene, Pepper etc are full of.

Jesus taught his apostles they were servants, or ministers, though they would be sent as ambassadors of the king with authority. Can we call ourselves anything more than servants and brothers in the same family? If a person is not willing to be known as a brother or sister in this life, how can he/she be happy in heaven where we'll all be related to our elder brother Christ?

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

A short but thought-provoking article on this subject "Names and Titles" written by Foy L. Smith, can be found on the Old Paths Pulpit site, at this address: http://www.oldpathspulpit.org/pdfs%5CNamesandTitles.pdf

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John 6:67-68: "Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, 'Would ye also go away?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.'"

AMEN!

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

I told one person not to call me "reverend" but they still did, so the next time they did, I asked why did they call me God and that stopped them!

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

One thing that we should know is that we could call anyone in the world our brother or sisters, but it would be only in Adam. It is too bad we can't call everyone we meet our brother or sister in Christ...which brings me to a question for members of the church...

I finally found a home congregation!!! And many there just go by first name...like brother Mark or Sister Mary. But they still call me brother White but want me to call them by their frst name. To me, it seems like they putting me above them somehow...I dunno, anyone care to share with me on thier experience?

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

Congratulations! That's wonderful news, and I am sure a wonderful feeling.

I have been called "Young Lee", "Brother Lee", "Lee", "Young Mr. Parish", "Brother", all are ok in my book. I prefer "brother" or "Lee", but none are offensive. I usually don't pay much attention to them. I try to mix it up myself. Sometimes calling the more seasoned sir or ma'am, often times brother or sister, and at times their first names, sometimes their last names. I don't think they are necessarily elevating you, just trying to be polite. I still have trouble referring to some by their first names, as I was taught growing up to be a Yessir, Yes Ma'am person.

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John 6:67-68: "Jesus said therefore unto the twelve, 'Would ye also go away?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.'"

Congratulations, brother. My brethren have used several terms to address me and some of them have not been all that nice!

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18

Congratulations Dwayne; I hope and pray that this is a fruitful congregation and you find much happiness. Don't worry about the formalities, addressing you by the first name will come with familarity. You are just the "newbe".

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For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 (U-NASB)

I agree with Bill. I suspect it is because they don't know you yet. Give it time. Oh, and cool on ya for finding a new home.

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--Laura

O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.
Jeremiah 10:23 (NKJV)

Whoohoo on finding a place to preach at brother!!!

Just for clarification, being respectful is expected by God. Titles are different in the body of Christ than saying Mr, Sir, Ms, using last names etc These are signs of respect, not elevation in importance or position.

Well, Laura, they really do know me...when I was at Redbird, they were one of the 6 sister congregations that I worked with. But maybe it is just me...I like being the servant and dislike ANY form of looking above anyone else...know what I mean?

Thanks for your comments Bill, Laura, and Steven!

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

Kiinda the reason I had to leave the church of Christ congregation at Redbird.

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15

Congrats on the finding a home! Excellent news!

I would prefer first name... Brother Sonnie, but when writing, should "brother" be capitalized or lower case?

Sometimes that may be difficult. We have two Jason's and both preach. Jason Hilburn is our preacher and Jason Holladay preaches every 4th Sunday. So when referencing them to someone else, we either have to use their full name or last name.

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

I would say "b" because many in denominations have even gone to the extreme of making that a title.

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Romans 16:16 1 Thess. 5:17 1 Thess. 5:22 1 Tim. 6:12 2 Tim 2:15