Reverend?

Yes, it's okay to use it.

 

Furthermore, it's a term of respect. Try a modern version on that verse as well. ;-)

 

I don't know a single Pastor that goes by "Reverend" in this area...not IFB, not SBC, none of them.

We call our Pastor just that - Pastor.

 

The church I pastored the people called me Bro.
The rev on my handle here means i get folks revved up

 

No problem using it, but I only use it in correspondence since it is a formal term in modern English. A word can have more than one meaning, and "reverend" does. It can refer to both God and man just like "holy" can.

 

Out of respect for my calling, I suppose "reverend" is okay.

 

The Redoubtable Rippon

I don't care for the term. Spurgeon allowed himself to be called "Reverend" in his early ministry,but rejected the title later on in favor of the better designation of Pastor.

 

Not to be picky, but that's not a definition of the English word "reverend," but of the Hebrew word. Words are often not exactly the same in two languages. So the meaning of the Hebrew word you give here does not mean that we must have the same exact meanings for the word "reverend" in English.

A word can have a different range of meaning in one language than a similar word in another. An example of this is the word "river" in English and the word kawa in Japanese. A river is not the same as a creek in English. No one looks at a little creek and calls it a river. However, the word kawa in Japanese means any flowing body of water, no matter the size.

Here is a definition of "reverend" from an English dictionary:

 

I have seen this asserted a number of times. Could you please explain to me why you see this as a problem?

 

I don't think we can draw a hard line, but I don't like it. I only use it in correspondence in an official capacity since ordained ministers can, in some cases, act as something of a notary public.

Otherwise I am just Roger.

 

Here, "Reverend" is generally linked in the mind of the "man in the street" with a vicar or other clergyman in The Church of England. For that reason alone, many evangelicals avoid it, and use the word "Pastor" instead. As others have said already, there is no biblical example of any church leader being called "reverend". But I wouldn't fall out with anyone on the matter.

 

I can imagine that most pastors have been called a whole lot worse than "Reverend". :tongue3:

Personally, I don't support the title "Reverend" as to me it's someone who desires respect from all others. I have the same problem with a man who is a Preacher/Pastor referred to as Doctor John Doe, Pastor. Is he a Doctor or a Pastor?

And then comes the Reverend, Doctor John Doe, Pastor, First Self-Righteous Baptist Church, or some other nonsense of a title. Does a Preacher "Doctor" a church or "Pastor" a church?

I wrote to the Sword of the Lord a few years back asking why all their printed sermons were from Doctors. Didn't they have any pastors? Talk about upsetting the Apple Cart. Wow!!!

Ever listen to Brother Mayes (Spelling) on the Radio? The Truck Drivers Special? That man knew how to preach and to get people excited for the Lord. I'm sure he's passed away by now.

 

We call our pastor brother Mike or just Mike (and he is a Dr). He won't preach from the stage or whatever you call it. He preaches down on the floor where the pews are because he doesn't like the idea of looking down at us. He says he's just one of us and should never be put on a pedestal.

 

If you're anything like my brother Mike, you are a fine Christian man and a wonderful preacher. (which I know you are anyway)

 

Yes indeed.

"Hey, Brother Jeff, explain this Scripture to me..., rather than, uh, Reverend Doctor Jeff Oldunionbrother, Sir, may I schedule an appointment so you can explain this Scripture to me?"

Yeah, I know..., above and beyond. Forgive me.