"Reverend" as a title

[Squire Robertsson]

While it is a title used by the clergy of various denominations, any more I just call that person "Pastor" even if they are female pr Mr. if they are not a pastor. The only man I can remember who was consistently called Reverand was the late Herschel Harkins who pastored the 1st Presbyterian Church of Sharp Park (aka the Little Brown Church). He was known in the church and community as Reverand Harkins. However, back in the 40s, he was the only Protestant clergy on the North Coast.

 

[TCassidy]

Nope only God is Reverend, man by nature is sinful.

So God made a mistake when He commanded wives to reverence their husbands?

 

[tyndale1946]

So God made a mistake when He commanded wives to reverence their husbands?

That is true TC and she does, but she also tells me, OH!!!... GO SIT ON YOUR THRONE!!!... Do I have to spell it out to you brethren where that is?... Brother Glen

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

That is true TC and she does, but she also tells me, OH!!!... GO SIT ON YOUR THRONE!!!... Do I have to spell it out to you brethren where that is?... Brother Glen

Does she call you Reverend Glen?

 

[tyndale1946]

Does she call you Reverend Glen?

She doesn't call me reverend and I don't call her goddess... But she does call me other things I can't print here... Brother Glen

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

She doesn't call me reverend and I don't call her goddess... But she does call me other things I can't print here... Brother Glen

Oh nooooo! Just know, you are not alone. It happens, even when your waiting on them hand hand n foot. BTW her tumor is shrinking Praise God!!!

 

[Pastor Sam]

The title “Reverend” signifies one is a member of the clergy. It is derived from a word indicating a person to be revered.

The title “sir” derives form the honorific title sire. It can carry the general sense of “father”.

The title “Mister” (i.e. Mr.) is an honorific for men (under the rank of knighthood). It is derived from the word “master” (same with Mrs., Ms. and Miss).

I’m sure that those who object the use of “Reverend” as a title also object to the use of Mr., Mrs., Miss, and Ms. (as one shouldn’t have multiple masters). I’m confident they would never call a man “sir” (or “father”) as that would be hypocritical.

I know that words have meanings, but sometimes meanings and/or the general sense of a word changes over time. Growing up, a Reverend was someone entrusted to the office of pastor. On this forum, some seem to believe it a title indicating more than its contemporary use.

My question is whether or not we are bound by the original meanings of words even when such meanings become archaic or at least not in line with the contemporary definition of the word.

I was ordained by the first church I took as a full time Pastor. That is when I began using the Rev. prefix and if it offends I am sorry but I am going to use it. Some abuse the title and for those I feel they must give an account but I have spent my years doing the work of the Lord.

 

[Pastor Sam]

We have a bunch of nit pickers on here and you make a big issue of nothing. You ruin the joy of coming on the forum with all this stupid talk. I understand that we can discuss things but some of you take it way beyond the normal discussion making it not worth talking about.

SO TAKE THAT AND PUT IT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT.

 

[JonC]

I was ordained by the first church I took as a full time Pastor. That is when I began using the Rev. prefix and if it offends I am sorry but I am going to use it. Some abuse the title and for those I feel they must give an account but I have spent my years doing the work of the Lord.

I don't find the Rev prefix offensive at all. I believe those who have devoted their lives to Kingdom work should be lifted up by the saints - not for their work but for the work God is doing through them (whether they be pastor or plumber). That said, I don't believe it important enough to hold on to if others do find it offensive. While I often wonder how the world will make it with so many easily offended pansies, I try my best not to offend except for important issues and online forums.

 

[rlvaughn]

I was ordained by the first church I took as a full time Pastor. That is when I began using the Rev. prefix and if it offends I am sorry but I am going to use it.

I don't find the Rev prefix offensive at all. I believe those who have devoted their lives to Kingdom work should be lifted up by the saints - not for their work but for the work God is doing through them (whether they be pastor or plumber). That said, I don't believe it important enough to hold on to if others do find it offensive. While I often wonder how the world will make it with so many easily offended pansies, I try my best not to offend except for important issues and online forums.

It's probably important to define what is meant by "offended." I am guessing that in the sense used by Pastor Sam and JonC you all are talking about wounded feelings. Please clarify, if you would. If that is what is meant then there is also a need to distinguish between those who have wounded feelings and those who are discussing it from the scriptural context of titles (or perhaps some other scriptural context). I am not offended by the title in any sense of having wounded feelings, but I do think it is not a scriptural name for the office of pastor/elder/bishop, neither do I think that the Bible enjoins us who hold that office to take on any title.

That said, I think Jon's point for those who do have wounded feelings is worth considering.

...I don't believe it important enough to hold on to if others do find it offensive. While I often wonder how the world will make it with so many easily offended pansies, I try my best not to offend except for important issues and online forums.

If this be a matter of liberty, we see that Paul was quick to lay aside certain liberties rather than be a hindrance to the gospel (1 Corinthians 9).

 

[Pastor Sam]

It's probably important to define what is meant by "offended." I am guessing that in the sense used by Pastor Sam and JonC you all are talking about wounded feelings. Please clarify, if you would. If that is what is meant then there is also a need to distinguish between those who have wounded feelings and those who are discussing it from the scriptural context of titles (or perhaps some other scriptural context). I am not offended by the title in any sense of having wounded feelings, but I do think it is not a scriptural name for the office of pastor/elder/bishop, neither do I think that the Bible enjoins us who hold that office to take on any title.

That said, I think Jon's point for those who do have wounded feelings is worth considering.
If this be a matter of liberty, we see that Paul was quick to lay aside certain liberties rather than be a hindrance to the gospel (1 Corinthians 9).

I totally disagree with you and that will be my finally word on this matter. You are not the final authority.

 

[rlvaughn]

You are quite free to disagree with me on this and any other matter. That is pretty much the point of these kinds of discussions. As far as the final authority, the Bible alone is that.

 

[Pastor Sam]

Some speak on here like they are the final authority . The Bible is the final authority. God called me into the ministry and my church put their seal of approval on my calling. Thus I was ordained and
I hold the title of Reverend which I abbreviate Rev. Nobody has a right to put someone’s calling from God. Thank you and my God bless you.

 

[rlvaughn]

The purpose of this thread is not to call into question someone’s calling from God. The purpose is to discuss whether the Bible, the final authority, puts the seal of approval on the title of Reverend. No one is denying your right to make a case for that. Feel free to do so.

 

[TCassidy]

Some speak on here like they are the final authority .

Who would that be?

The Bible is the final authority.

Yes, we all know that. We all believe that. It is one of the Baptist Distinctives.

God called me into the ministry and my church put their seal of approval on my calling.

Nobody has questioned that.

Nobody has a right to put someone’s calling from God.

I am not sure what you mean by this incomplete sentence, but I will speculate that you meant to say that nobody has the right to question your calling?

I agree. But, of course, nobody has questioned your calling. Disagreeing with you is not questioning your calling. It is just disagreeing with you.

We ought to have these little disagreements without getting all defensive about it. A couple decades ago a group of men in our church stopped calling me "Pastor" and started calling me "Preacher." In my way of thinking there is a vast difference between a preacher and a pastor. Just about anybody can be a preacher, but the office of Pastor is a much higher calling.

So, one Sunday Morning I preached a message "How to Make your Preacher your Pastor." They all started calling me "Pastor" again.