When I was first ordained I like being called Reverend because of a certain milestone that I had reached. In my case, I came to believe that only the Lord is reverend. I like people to call me pastor if they must use a title, because I was called to guard and love the Lord's people.
Some high churched denominations call their pastors The Right Reverend Smith and so on. This seems over the top to me.
Rev. Jerry, some Christians grow up into the faith in about three years if they are constantly searching the Scriptures and are using good theological books. Don't go to other inexperienced people who think they know things. Depend on the Bible and the Holy Spirit will help you greatly. If a passage seems to seem difficult to understand, try to look up the Greek word or review several Christian commentaries and see what other men of God and women have to say about the troublesome verse or verses.
The are millions of laity and even pastors who never have grown in the faith by way of depth. Evangelists, sometimes, repeat the same messages and never study the deep things of God, and of course, many evangelists are very deep int he faith.
People cannot say they are mature in the faith an seldom witness to what Christ has done in their lives. They think they are mature but in the eyes of the Lord they as spiritual Pygmies.
Here is an idea for you. I have a pastoral/business card that says this. On it it has my name, address, city, state and Email address and an organization I represent. Under it it reads,
If you do not know Jesus as your Savior offer this brief prayer. 'I personally accept Christ as my only hope in this life and in the life to come. Write my name in the Lamb's Book of Life and help me to live for Thee and love Thee forever. Amen.'
Whever I do business or get into a conversation with people I give them one of these and say this is the most important decision you will ever make. Your destiny depends on it.
There are a myriad of ways to witness to the Lord but this is the one that works for me. I say, 'If you have any questions, Email me.'
Some people with white hair who have been saved sixty years are not mature because they have not bowed to His Word, which is in fact Him, but have held on to their old ideas that their denomination has taught them. Many truths of said denomination are right but some probably are wrong.
While in Bible College we had a new young man about seventeen years old who just go saved and he was a 'fire ball.' He witnessed in a demanding kind of way and turned off a lot of non-Christians. He finally settled down and learned some things.
My rule, for myself, is to witness to the point where you can lead that soul to Christ with a prayer similar to the one above. If the person starts to rebel I move to another subject of conversation. I have sown the seed and at a future time the Lord will send another person to that non-Christian to either water or harvest that soul unto salvation.
In one year some newborn Christians can grow a lot in the faith, but some truths we are not able to receive because of lack of knowledge of the Word. This times even more years.
Personally, I need to study the Word everyday or my life seems as though I am missing something. He is my Source of strength and breathes new life into me everyday as I commune with Him.
In your case, you might really be clear and firm in your understanding of the Word of God in five years while other persons saved the same year you were--may putter around the fringes of spiritual growth. It all depends on the zeal and amount of study you put into the things of God.
If you will indulge me, always remember you have other responsibilities like meeting the needs of a wife, possibly children, paying bills on time and supporting and standing with and encouraging the pastor where you attend worship.
Any study you receive at a Bible College or a seminary always remember to thank the Lord for the priviledge of studying under men of God and praise Him for anything you have learned on the road to your scholastic achievement. To the Lord be the glory!!
I must stop before this become lengthy.
Pastor Berrian, Th.D.
