Reverend

[El_Guero]

Originally posted by Aaron:
Just take the title. It is simply a way that the world acknowledges your occupation. The world can't call you Pastor or Brother, but they can call you Reverend and be truthful about it.

 

[pinoybaptist]

Originally posted by canadyjd:
..................

I don't think being called reverend is biblical. It is a term that should be reserved for God.

 

[El_Guero]

A lot of it depends on where you are. I know that in some places in E. Texas, 'Reverend' is expected and other places 'brother' or nothing at all.

 

[Hope of Glory]

Originally posted by TaterTot:
because around here, only the preacher and deacon are called brother

What about Matthew 12:50?

 

[TaterTot]

I know, just stating a fact.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Hope of Glory:
Matthew 12:50 tells us who our "brothers" are. Why is there a problem with calling someone brother?

The only people who called each other brother and sister where I grew up were the Mormons and others who were the shout, stomp and spit folks. Many of them never tried to adopt to the culture in the area and continued to feel comfortable not reaching out to local people. They liked their culture and tried to preserve that. Today the vast nmajority of those folks are in the grave and the churches are closing their doors or will soon.

 

[Hope of Glory]

Jesus called many people brothers, including his disciples. (However, I can't think of a single case where a disciple called him brother; I'll have to look it up later.)

The Bible tells us that those who are doing the will of the father (those who are being obedient) are Jesus' brother and sister and mother.

Instead of worrying about what Mormons are calling each other, I will continue to call those who are being obedien my brothers and sisters.

I'm far more concerned with what the Bible says than what people say.

 

[Bible-boy]

Yet another problem that has come about because of the way we let our traditions (which can and do often drift away from being biblical) dictate our theology and the way we think and speak (carelessly) about what the Scripture actually says.

 

[MikeinGhana]

Good point Aaron, I never saw it that way.

Here in Ghana they have a bit of a different use for the term. If you are not ordained they call you pastor. If you are ordained they call you Reverend. It really doesn't matter though. They are not making you equal to God nor are they venerating you as a person. They are respecting the office you hold. It would do Americans good to have a better respect for the Man of God instead of what they normally call us, don't you think. Just do not let these accolades get to your head boys.

 

[Alcott]

And calling them "boys" gives such respect, does it ?

Anyway, did you ever see the episode of The Waltons in which 21-year-old "Reverand Fordyce" [John Ritter] first appears? He stays with the Waltons (as every newcomer or stranger does, don't they?) and immediately starts a lot of judgmental criticism about their going swimming in the creek on Sunday, or not paying full attention to every word he says, and he scares the children by talking about hell. Then John Walton, the non-churchgoer, jumps in and blasts him. The women, "Grandma" and "Mama" of course, hold the religious line in the family, and they won't hear of any kind of criticism of "the Lord's hand," Rev. Fordyce. Grandma just falls all over him offering extra food between meals, which she won't allow for the children, and never addressing him any other way but "Reverand."

Although The Waltons is fictionalized, Earl Hamner based the premise of his series on his experiences of growing up in the mountains of Virginia. And from what many older folks have told me before, this is an accurate portrayal of how people were led to treat "the reverand." My dad told of how his parents, in a small farming community, would invite him over for dinner and they would send the kids outside while they spent an hour or longer at the table, then when finally called in to to eat the legs and thighs and breasts would be gone and they would be left the neck, back and gizzard, and cold potatoes and stale bread. And if they misbehaved in the slightest way when the reverand was there they would immediately get it with the razor strap. Possibly my dad's attitude toward ministers, as a result of all this, played a part in my own attitude, and going through that 15-year dilemma of whether to become one or not, ending (apparently) with the answer, 'nope.' But if I had, I would refuse to be treated as someone more special than anyone else, and I definitely would ask not to be called "reverand" if anyone ever called me that.

 

[mioque]

Around here, the term reverend doesn't exist, 'pastor' is only used for Roman Catholic priests and for Protestant preachers the proper term is 'dominee'.

 

[MikeinGhana]

Alcott

Would you rather I said girls? Just a bit of humor.

 

[HankD]

Just take the title. It is simply a way that the world acknowledges your occupation. The world can't call you Pastor or Brother, but they can call you Reverend and be truthful about it.

Quite true Aaron, but it still makes me cringe inwardly. Even if it's a funeral director introducing me to the mourners.

HankD

 

[TomVols]

I don't make a hullabaloo over being called Rev. Given the fact that people don't respect pastors anymore, it grieves me that people shirk titles of respect for ministers, police, etc. Shows just how pathetic our culture is.

I prefer "pastor" for that is what I am. "Brother" is misused here in the south.

 

[EdSutton]

According to my trusty falling apart Strong's, the word translated "reverend" in Ps. 111:9 is also translated as terrible, dreadful, and frightful, among others. The NKJV renders it "awesome"; Darby rendered it "terrible"; The YLT renders it "fearful". I suspect many of the 'clergy' and academe rather tend to want to think of themselves as "The 'Awesome' Doctor 'John Doe'". I suspect not too many would want some of these other renderings used. When so introduced to some 'Rev. Joe', or 'Rev. Dr. John', I always smile, knowing I've just met 'The Dreadful David Smith' or 'The Terrible Tom Jones'. Hey, do any really want to be identified with Ivan? Ed

 

[Snitzelhoff]

Hmmm... 'Round here, "brother" and "sister" are used to refer to any fellow Christians. "Pastor," "preacher," or "minister" refer to the guy who stands behind the pulpit every Sunday. "Reverend" is not used for anybody. Sometimes, the pastor is called "brother," but so is every other Christian, like I said.

Michael

 

[Hope of Glory]

Jesus called many people brothers, but if I remember correctly, no one ever called him brother.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by TomVols:
I don't make a hullabaloo over being called Rev. Given the fact that people don't respect pastors anymore, it grieves me that people shirk titles of respect for ministers, police, etc. Shows just how pathetic our culture is.

I prefer "pastor" for that is what I am. "Brother" is misused here in the south.

Friend is overused in the south too.

They don't respect pastors because of too many faith healers and too many caught in scandals.