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Use of title Pastor

Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by pops, Mar 18, 2004.

  1. pops

    pops New Member

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    Is the title Pastor or some variation of it (asoc pastor...) a title like MD is a title or is it just a descriptor like teacher?
    My opinion is that it is a official title earned by graduating from a 'Bible' college and then ordained. What say you?
     
  2. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    It is a title that should desrerve respect, but, unfortunately, sometimes doesn't.

    I don't see the requirement of "graduating from a 'Bible' college" listed in the bible, but then neither is ordination.

    A man can be a pastor without a degree or letters after his name. Neither one adds to his calling, just better equips him for it.

    In Christ,
    Trotter
     
  3. Bro Tony

    Bro Tony New Member

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    I believe a pastor is a God called man. That in my view other than what is stated by Paul to Timothy and Titus is the only requirement.

    Schooling is not a biblical requirement, although along with Trotter I believe it helps an individual to be better equipped. In my view though far too many churches are more impressed with the letters behind a man's name, than his heart and genuine knowledge of the Word. I have nothing against the higher degrees that men have earned; especially if they have sought them because they felt that was God's leading for them and they do not depend upon the degree rather than the Lord.

    The key to me though above anything else is the call. I tell young men who are considering entering the ministry that if there is anything else you would rather do--than go do it. As any man who has served as pastor for any length of time can tell you, there are some days that all you have to hang on to is that you know you have been called by God.

    Sorry for going on. Guess I got carried away. I hope there is something in what I wrote that helps in some way.

    Bro Tony
     
  4. Servent

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    I try to always address our pastor as such never by first name alone, (allthought maney do) or Mr., always pastor and first or last name. He is a man called by God he diserves that respect.
     
  5. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    I don't believe it should neccessarily be earned by graduating from a school. I've seen a few people who graduating and will never earn that title from me.
    On the other hand, there is a resigned pastor who may or may not get back into an official position again, but I still call him pastor and always will because that is what he does, whether from behind a pulpit or not, and that's how I will always see him.
    I also attended a church where the pastor had not gone to bible college. Still called him pastor.
    While it's preferable IMO to have some proof the person pastoring has studied and is knowledgable in what he's teaching, I can't see it as a requirement, and the actions of a person are 10x's more telling of his spiritual gift and his heart than a piece of paper can ever be.
    Gina
     
  6. Squire Robertsson

    Squire Robertsson Administrator
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    To me, it's a vocational descriptor. A man can be a "Bible College grad" and ordained by his church to the Gospel ministry (which in other polities allows him to use the title Rev.) but that doesn't entitle him to the title Pastor. A man has to be selected by a church to be one of her pastoral staff to be entitled to use it.

    The situation is somewhat akin to the naval usage. Any person who is in command of a vessal is called that vessal's "Captain" or informally "Skipper. This holds true no matter what the CO's actual rank may be. If you're a LTJG commanding a Patrol Boat, you're that vessal's captain just as much as the CAPT commanding an aircraft carrier is that vessal's captain.

    The title goes with some exceptions (almost anything can be done on the vote of a Baptist church) with the job.
     
  7. Jailminister

    Jailminister New Member

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    First of all being a Pastor is not a calling, it is a desire. You don't have to be a preacher to qualify, but you must qualify. If you qualify(and a degree is not part of the qualifications), then a proper title would be Pastor (name plugged in).
     
  8. colorado_cop

    colorado_cop New Member

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    Again, this is personal preference. Pastor Matt Heard, pastor of the 6,000 member Woodmen Valley Chapel here in the Springs, goes by Matt. That's what he has told us he wants.

    As far as calling goes, college has absolutely NOTHING to do with it. Per scripture. I agree, it helps, but it can also be damaging. The youth pastor at my former church (of which I have spoken about on this site) was fired by a group of idiot deacons because he did not have a seminary degree, and thus shouldn't have made the $40,000 per annum that he did (that, by the way, is not a lot of money in Colorado Springs). Needless to say, God's annointing on his life and ministry was evident...man's rulse got in the way of that. Again. (seems to be a trend in Baptist churches.

    Lastly, many are called to be pastors. I am called to be a cop. Does that mean you all should call be "Officer Garrett" every time we're together? Of course not. Again, the pastor at our former church demanded that people call him "Dr. _____". And of course, as you can imagine, he was an extremely prideful person. A lot of times the title gets in the way.
     
  9. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    I've had ONE pastor tell us that he was to be addressed as Pastor K..... and not by Pastor Kevin or Bro. Kevin. He insisted he was head of the flock and he also owned the church building. Our interim pastor told me to call him George but I call him Dr. George. Our previous minister, I did call Alan in social settings but Bro. Alan the rest of the time.

    I call my dentist Bruce because he's a friend and my deacon... but at church, around the kids, I call him Dr. Camp.

    Since I work with children most of the time, I try to use respectful titles so the children will learn from my example.

    Diane
     
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    The office of the "Pastor" is recognized by the definitions and connotations of the Scriptural terms relating to the office:
    a. POIMEN (Ephesians 4:11; I Peter 5:12) "Shepherd of the Flock"
    b. PRESBUTEROS (I Peter 5:1; Hebrews 14:23) "President of the Assembly"
    c. EPISCOPOS (Philippians 1:1; I Peter 5:12) "Superintendent of a Work Force"
    d. DIDASKOLOS (Romans 2:20; I Corinthians 12:28) "Teacher of the School"
    e. KERUX (I Timothy 2:7; II Timothy 1:11; II Peter 2:5) "Preacher of the Congregation"
     
  11. colorado_cop

    colorado_cop New Member

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    And again, who does the pastor get his power and authority from? Not the office, but from Christ. Deacons and Elders are also called by name and called for in scripture. Are we supposed to go around calling someone, "Elder Bob" or "Deacon Jim?" That would sound silly. We have a name, let's use it. Pastor is the position one is in, not something bestowed upon someone. Let's remember it. Their sin stinks just as much as everyone else's; to hold them up as someone more than anyone else would be sinful and, frankly, dangerous (Jimmy Swaggart?) He, and many, many others, have proven that the sin that befalls and holds all of us back attacks them unmercifully as well. Although they are in a specific position to teach and minister to, let us also look upon them as peers in Christ as well. The SBC did a study some time ago, and it found that senior pastors almost always stated they felt a sort of loneliness due to their position. Remember that.
     
  12. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

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    Pastor is a position in the church.Most pastors will tell you how they wish to be addressed.Pastors like other men either earn the respect they are given or they don't.I have no problem calling the pastor of a church Pastor so and so.I prefer Bro. myself.We are called to do different things. In the N.T. Church no one is above another ,the clergy is not like the O.T. priesthood.
    With the mention of fallen preachers in the last entry I would suggest that we follow Christ in our walk he will not fall or fail you.
     
  13. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    the trouble is most pastors wear their title like a badge of honor. notice how james starts his epistle&gt;&gt;&gt;Jam 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

    james could of up held his title to half brother of Jesus etc etc james could of upped his credentials but he merely introduces his self as a servant of Christ.
    how different many pastors are today their office is filled with plaques of scholastic accomplishments they are in closed door offices with secretary's that make appointments for them to even talk to anyone. it really is setting up the pastor as a very very important man that many people think of them as faultless.
     
  14. LarryN

    LarryN New Member

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    I've encountered this also. Ironically, it's usually a demand made by Pastors with purely honorary Doctorates.

    The Pastors I know with actual earned Doctorates (Including 2 of the 8 Pastors at my church) usually seem to shy away from being addressed as "Doctor", and prefer to be addressed as "Pastor". I personally think it's proper to address a Pastor as "Doctor" when the title is earned.
     
  15. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    I've encountered this also. Ironically, it's usually a demand made by Pastors with purely honorary Doctorates.

    The Pastors I know with actual earned Doctorates (Including 2 of the 8 Pastors at my church) usually seem to shy away from being addressed as "Doctor", and prefer to be addressed as "Pastor". I personally think it's proper to address a Pastor as "Doctor" when the title is earned.
    </font>[/QUOTE]i would not be in a church where a pastor believed he has earned anything from his own self righteous fake pious bull. a pastor cannot earn anything spiritual it is by grace that a pastor is able to any good and he should do nothing but give all glory and credit to God alone. Dr. elitist pastor should be their title if they want to be recognized with such pomp.

    dr. dak at your service
     
  16. TC

    TC Active Member
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    Matthew 23
    8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
    9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
    10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
    11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
    12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

    Neither Paul, nor Peter, nor John, Nor any other NT writer address anyone by anything other than their name. No titles of any kind were added. So why should we address people by titles today. In keeping with Jesus's words, I prefer brother or sister &lt;your name here&gt; or just &lt;your name&gt;.
     
  17. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    good post i agree

    dr. dak
     
  18. sharpSword

    sharpSword Guest

    Quote "So why should we address people by titles today. In keeping with Jesus's words, I prefer brother or sister &lt;your name here&gt; or just &lt;your name&gt;. "

    I agree with your use of the Scriptures about addressing with any title. I also feel it unnecessary to call people Brother or Sister. It again is not mentioned in the Scriptures when the apostles spoke of other believers, other than to clarify they were part of the Body, but it was not as a title.

    Just as an example
    Romans 16:16:1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
    2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
    3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

    Simple Respect for other people is part of who we should be as Christians. Far more imporant is it that individuals have proven themselves a servant of the Most High, giving Him the honor and glory for all that they are and have done. Double honor will be invariably shown to those, because their care and compassion and servanthood will be reciprocated.
     
  19. massdak

    massdak Active Member
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    this cannot be, two posters back to back that i agree with so much. you and TC have very good post, and it is good to see this understanding, i am not sure but i would say that you are probabaly reformed baptist? am i correct?

    dr. dak
     
  20. sharpSword

    sharpSword Guest

    massdak "this cannot be, two posters back to back that i agree with so much. you and TC have very good post, and it is good to see this understanding, i am not sure but i would say that you are probabaly reformed baptist? am i correct?

    dr. dak "

    Ok.....fess up...are you really a Dr? :D

    ""this cannot be, two posters back to back that i agree with so much....you and TC have very good post, and it is good to see this understanding,"

    WOW...it's a miracle. Someone finally agrees with me. [​IMG] [​IMG] Or did I finally agree with someone else? :confused:

    "i would say that you are probabaly reformed baptist? am i correct?"

    Actually, no...but we are seriously considering starting a new Baptist denomination called Berean Baptists, where everything is tested to the Word of God. ;) Seems like new denoms. popping up all over the place...Charismatic Baptists, Catholic Baptists...the list is almost endless. :eek:

    Nice to meet you Doc. [​IMG]
     
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