JOE:
Please don’t use “pastor” as you do a proper name, as in “hello, John” or “hello, Bill.” That’s how Xns use it, and it doesn’t sound right to me.
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Can you please explain this further to me. I do not seem to grab what you are saying here perfectly. Will it be wrong to say “Hello Pastor John”?
J O E
Motto: No Jesus, No Peace
Know Jesus, Know Peace
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JOE:
No, JOE, there is nothing wrong with saying that if that is what you prefer. Let me fill you in on some background for our use of the term “pastor” around here. We require children to respect their elders and, so, not to refer to their elders by their first names, as if they were their elders’ equals. As a group, we decided some years ago that the best way for the children to address me was by “pastor John”, to help the little ones better understand who I am. But never have I either wanted, expected, or demanded that adults call me “pastor John”. It is OK if adults do call me “pastor John”, if they choose to do that, especially if they are parents of very small children so that their children can get used to hearing me called that and learn it. To go the extra mile with it, however, and just call me “pastor” is very distasteful to me. I have seen Xn ministers glory in such titles, and I have also seen Xns glory in using those exalted terms, and it makes me feel sick inside when somebody refers to me that way. I like what Peter told Cornelius when that humble Gentile fell down at Peter’s feet. “Stand up. I myself also am a man [as you are].” And I also remember Elihu’s wisdom in Job 32:21-22: “Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person. Neither let me give flattering titles to any man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my Maker would soon take me away.”
Thanks for asking, JOE. I hope this answers your question.
Your servant for Jesus Christ the Lord,
jdc
alias, Pastor John
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JOE wrote:
“To go the extra mile with it, however, and just call me “pastor” is very distasteful to me. I have seen Xn ministers glory in such titles, and I have also seen Xns glory in using those exalted terms, and it makes me feel sick inside when somebody refers to me that way.”
I have seen that too when I was of the Foursquare Gospel Church. My real names were forgotten. Everyone calls me “Deacon”. I tried stopping them as I do not like that at all. I explained to them that to be a deacon is not a position or title to be proud and get head blown but a responsibility. When I could not stop them, I lived with the sickness.
“I hope this answers your question.”
It more than answered my question. I will try and keep it in mind.