honorary names as dr. and pride

A few years back, many Baptist were hesitant to use the term Rev'd. There was a move afoot to get an honourary doctorate, a DD (Devil disturber) and thus dispense with the term Rev'd.

The doctorate was originally an academic title and not medical. In fact, in England, to call a medical doctor as Dr. Jones or whatever is not a badge of honour. Medical doctors were called Mr. unless they had a knighthood and then called Sir...which was a doctor's goal, especially surgeons.

People call one doctor out of respect, as they do the Rev'd Mr Jones, or at least, it should be. I never allowed a church, where I served as pastor, to display my degrees. It was my opinion that people should be attracted by the message we offer and not by the man. IN a larger centre, however, it can attract other academics and professional people, and this can be a good thing, if we use it too to God's glory. The world looks for badges, but I have seen great men of God who had no such badges, and I would gladly exchange my degrees for their depth of soul.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Based on my observations, I now see the hesitation to call pastors "Rev" or "Dr" if they've earned it as just one more sign that the authority of the minister has been punted in our modern/post-modern context. Most of the churches I know who harp on this "Don't use Rev" have NO respect for the elder/pastorate at all.

I prefer the term pastor. When I complete my doctorate, I'll probably still prefer the term pastor.

 

I have earned two doctorates but still prefer the term "pastor."

People have no qualms about calling their medical expert "doctor." Or their University Professor. But many get upset when the pastor is called "doctor."

rufus

 

An "honorary" doctorate simply asserts that the person receiving it has met all the qualifications of knowlege that an "earned" doctorate infers. It carries the same rights and privileges.

I see no reason why a person who has received a doctorate, be it educationally or honorary, should not use the title. It's one of achievement and respect. Often, I think it's more a matter of the rest of us being envious of those with doctorates.

Rather than admit to our own envy, we accuse them of being prideful.

 

I don't put any stock in titles anyway, and generally don't use them. If it's going to be a major issue, then I will, but it has no meaning, and my opinion of someone who insists on being addressed with an honorific title usually drops significantly.

 

I don't think all cases of objection to honorary doctorates are due to envy.

There have been lots of honorary doctorates bestowed upon many pastors lately, especially in the IFB circles. While I think it's a good thing to honor someones hard work and accomplishments, many have crossed the line, and hand doctorates out like candy to their friends. In my opinion, this cheapens, not only the well deserved honorary doctorates, but also the earned ones.

Unaccredited bible colleges are becoming a dime a dozen, and so are the honorary doctorates they distribute. It's a disservice to those who have actually earned their title. Just my .02

 

Stubbornkelly, I agree that it rubs me the wrong way when someone insists thaty they be called by their title.

Mom-o-Five, You make a good point. those schools handing out degrees as they were Pez dispensers do an injustice to those who have rightfully received the same.

 

read the site i provided you may get a better understanding

I did. I disagree with it. I generally don't think that an honorary degree is "simply a piece of paper". The person who wrote it is entitled to their opinions. Just because it's on biblibelievers.com doesn't mean it's more correct than commentary.

 

I don't even call our family doctor, Dr. Henry. When I see him I say, What's up Terry. I don't expect him to call me Rev. Gib.

On the other hand, I don't have a problem calling someone by their title. Most have spent the time and earned it. Although, I have a friend at work who is an evangelist. He wants to be called Bishop so & so. He refers to his wife as Deaconess so & so or mother deacon. He will correct you if you call him 1st name only. It seems it's all about the title.

My Dad has a Phd in OT. I don't think I've ever seen him gloat his title around. He does not introduce himself as Dr. When I would hear his students call him Dr. it always sounded like they were talking to someone else. He would much rather be known as Bro. So and So. I concur.

 

Titles should be a matter of personal preferance and the approitness of the situation. I'll give an example of what I mean. My Dad is a retired professor of education and certianly entitled to be called Doctor. The only times I ever heard anyone refer to him a Dr. Whiteside was at the University, or if someone from there called the house. He never used the title in social settings, he did't have Dr. before his name on his checks, etc. He used the title when it had to do with someone needing to know that he was truly an expert in his field.

If a pastor has earned the right to be called Dr. then he is certianly entitled to be called Dr. when the situation calls for it. I don't think he really needs Dr. so and so on his personal checks, but he might on a checking account used for Chruch business. My Pastor much perfers the to be called Pastor, and that title to me means more than the title of Dr. It not only shows my respect for him, but it also tells the world that he is a man of God that they can go to for help. The title of Dr. could be anything from an MD, to a Dentist, to a Professor, to a Pastor so how do I know what Dr. I am speaking to when all I have is that title. Just my .02 worth.


Bill