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why do ministers call themselves, "Reverend?"

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by ray Marshall, Sep 1, 2008.

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  1. ray Marshall

    ray Marshall New Member

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    I have a problem concerning ministers calling themselves,"The Reverend so and so.
    The Bible strictly says that No one is to call themself Reverend. HOLY and REVERN is his name. Not Man!!
     
  2. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    I've been in ministry 20+ years...everybody calls me by my first name...and I like it that way.

    A few people, though, say, "Hey, dummy! Come here!"

    But oh well....:D
     
  3. webdog

    webdog Active Member
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    I don't know...ask Revmitchell.
     
  4. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Yup,

    I am just "Roger" when they are being nice :)
     
  5. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Funny...so am I.

    (C4K and I share the same first name)
     
  6. JOAN OF ARC

    JOAN OF ARC New Member

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    Ha! Haven't met any.

    Only ~ "Preeeachers" . . . :)
     
  7. ray Marshall

    ray Marshall New Member

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    Well that's what I thought they are/were. No one is wearthy to call themselves,
    "Reverends" Shame, shame
     
  8. hawg_427

    hawg_427 Member

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    My Pastors Title is Head Pastor and I call him Paul.
    I don't have to call him a "Title" to have respect for him.
     
  9. 4His_glory

    4His_glory New Member

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    I just get called "pastor". Some older people may say pastorcito but I don´t like that. Literally it means little pastor. Its a term of endearment though.
     
  10. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    Our senior pastor is "Pastor" to everyone except his family. All of the other pastors are "Pastor firstname" - so my hubby is Pastor Bob. It's a respectful title IMO. My hubby is called "Rev" by some of the people we know outside of the church since he was ordained. I think it's just what they like to call him. Of course they've known him for MANY years and always called him Bob before - and still call him that at times. But "Rev" is the name - even though he told them they don't have to do that. :)

    I've never read in the Bible where it strictly says that we're not to call anyone "reverend". I just did a search and can't find that. Ray, can you point me to the verse? The ONLY one I found is Psalm 111:9 "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name." Since we are to be holy as He is holy, I don't see where reverend cannot be a term for us either.
     
  11. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    I don't think ministers gave themselves the title..not name...it was laid upon us by the people. By the way, the proper use of the term is "The Rev'd Mr.........." or, "The Rev'd Dr................After the use of Rev. one can end with his degrees, but usually after Dr. no degrees are listed.

    I really don't care what I am called, but I don't make a big deal about it either....just get the job done...........Hey, I like "dummy"!

    Cheers,

    Jim

    I still like the little ditty:

    There was a laddie at college named Breeze,
    Weighed down with BA's and BD's.
    Said the doctor, "It's plain, you are killing yourself by degrees."
     
  12. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    I have been ordained, so technically, i am a Rev. But I don't like the title. It reminds me of two famous "reverends" who don't deserve the title - Jackson and Sharpton.

    I'm normally called...
    Preacher
    Pastor
    Padre
    The Sermonator
    and, my favorite...
    The Big Kahuna (by the kids!)
     
  13. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    I have a little girl in our church that calls me "dumdum"... I think it is because I like dumdum lollipops! (At least that's what I told myself)

    She could be parroting her parents! lol

    Rev. is just a respectful term given to those that are ordained... nothing more.

    I answer to anything...
     
  14. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

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  15. Bob Alkire

    Bob Alkire New Member

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  16. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    I'm in a surly mood today and want some fun so...

    Why does it bother you so much that you feel it necessary to air your grievances on this board? Is there someone in your life that is called "reverend" that has not been awfully accountable to that title?

    I'm an ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus, my official title (which I never use) begins with Reverend. Why do you have a problem with that?

    Where does it say this? Honestly I'd love to see where the Scriptures deny the use of this title. Thanks in advance :thumbs:

    I'm not sure what you're saying here. Could you clarify? Thanks :)

    Reverend is a fairly pejorative term. We think of many in our culture who have been attached with the name "Reverend" and don't act that way. Of course there are many who do but aren't in the national spotlight. Ordination is an awfully important part of ministry I think, wouldn't you agree, particularly since it is a way which the Church can affirm a calling on someone's life. I have met some terrific men of God who are known as Reverend So and So and will happily say they deserve the term. Who has influenced you so negatively with this term?
     
  17. North Carolina Tentmaker

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    I have heard this before from preachers I have known. It seems to be a Seventh Day Adventist teaching. I could be wrong on that but the guy who explained it to me is SDA. He said the justification is found in Matt 23:1-11
    Specifically in verses 8 – 10 the Bible says not to be called Rabbi, Father, or Master. The Greek words here are rhabbi, pater, and kathegetes. None of these are ever translated reverend, but they are titles of respect. This can coupled with the idea that we are all sinners. Back in Matt 19:17 Jesus asked:
    I don’t necessarily agree with this teaching. If someone wants to call me Reverend out of respect I have no problem with it. It is no different than Dr. or Mr. to me. I know that title means nothing to God, but if I can use it to get people to listen to the words of God then I will.
     
  18. drfuss

    drfuss New Member

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    "Matt 23
    [1] Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
    [2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
    [3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
    [4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
    [5] But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
    [6] And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
    [7] And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
    [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"


    drfuss: I commend those in a pastor position who follow scripture and encourage people to call them by their first name as does my pastor. IMO, the above scripture says we are not to call another Christian by any elevated title they may have in the church, which would include both pastor and reverend.
     
    #18 drfuss, Sep 2, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 2, 2008
  19. Pastor Larry

    Pastor Larry <b>Moderator</b>
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    Most pastors I konw don't call themselves Reverend, but that is a social title put upon them. The Bible does not forbid it and thus this issue is not a big deal. Most people don't call me that, but some do, and I answer to it.
     
  20. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Psalm 111.9 was mentioned.

    "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend [is] his name"

    The term used is translated the following ways. The number is how many times. fear 188, afraid 78, terrible 23, terrible thing 6, dreadful 5, reverence 3, fearful 2, terrible acts 1, misc 8

    Hardly a proper name for the Lord, only a descriptive term of His name.

    Call em as ya sees em when it comes to pastors. If they are my pastor that is what I call them. If they are not or fail to meet the standard for the term they get their name instead. :thumbs:
     
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