Mike Demory
It seems that many individuals thrive on having a title. Titles such as CEO, Senator, Congressman, Congresswoman, or Doctor, do distinguish us from others by pointing toward the endless hours of hard work in obtaining that title. But are all titles good? As a preacher of the gospel, I and many others have had the misfortune of being given the titles of Reverend, Pastor, and Minister, due in part to the ignorance of the populace concerning the Scriptures; as invented by all denominational churches.
Policy and tradition must take a back seat to the word of God when any practice has not been authorized by God. Through further study of the Bible we find that even Jesus Himself condemned the use of titles meant to elevate one member over another. Speaking of the religious leaders of His day, Jesus said, “but all their works they do for
to be seen of men…greetings in the market, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi” (Matt. 23:5-7). Men and unfortunately as well as unscripturally women today love to be called of men Father, Reverend, Most-Reverend, Bishop, Pastor, and Doctor. However, Jesus condemned such titles when He said, “But be not ye called Rabbi; for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth; for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Master even Christ” (Matt. 23:8-10).
When searching the Scriptures (which are the only authority we have), we quickly find that the word Reverend is found only once. In Psalm 111:9, the record says, “….holy and reverend is His name,” speaking specifically of Jehovah God, not about any man. The use of the word reverend in this verse denotes a description of who God is, it does not give Him a title. The same is true of the word minister which simply means servant (Mark 10:43; Rom. 13:4; Gal. 2:17). The apostle Paul said he became a minister according to the grace of God (Eph. 3:7). He did not become The Minister, but A minister,—a servant of God after he obeyed the gospel and became a Christian. Paul did not separate himself from all other Christians by taking a special title that many would give to preachers today. All followers of Christ are ministers, which describes our servanthood to Christ, and to one another.
The oft abused and misused word Pastor and its plural form are found 8 times in the King James Version and mostly in the book of Jeremiah (Jer. 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16; 22:22; 23:1-2), where the prophet describes shepherds, that is prophets, priests, kings, et al who through false teaching led the Israelites astray. But in Ephesians 4:11 the word refers to men (elders) who are responsible for properly feeding their particular flock of the church. Translated from the Greek word poimen meaning, “one who tends flocks or herds; a shepherd or herdsmen;” pastors (Shepherds) are responsible for tending, feeding, guiding and protecting God’s spiritual flock, the church. In Acts 20:28 the apostle Paul tells a plurality of men from the church in Ephesus to feed the flock, over which God had made them “overseers” (bishops). Again in 1 Peter 5:1-2 it is the elders who are to feed the flock. The Biblical organization of the church finds each congregation overseen (when possible) by elders (senior men) who are also referred to as pastors/shepherds, and bishops/overseers. These are men who are chosen by their local congregation to oversee the work of their congregation, as well as protect them from error and make sure the truth is taught. But none of the terms (pastor, bishop, elder, shepherd, etc.) are to be confused with having titles, they are simply descriptions of the work a particular member of the church does.
While there are elderships within the Lord’s church who continue to stand firm for the old paths, more and more eldership’s do not. They have turned from feeding their flocks sound (healthy) doctrine, to supplying them with tares. And unfortunately the members love to have it so! Many even call their preachers Pastor and said preachers love it to have it so as well! The Lord’s church, His blood bought institution, is rapidly becoming a by-word due to congregations embracing the dunghills of denominationalism. If we continue in this slippery slope of who-cares-ism, it won’t be long before we will begin hearing the spirit of whoredoms calling preachers Reverend, Bishop, and Reverend-Pastor. You may not think it so, but many have already accepted women deacons, elders, song-leaders, and preachers. All it took was the seemingly innocent addition of Traditional and Contemporary worship services; and slowly but surely, we find Baptism Sundays! Bar-Church! Joint Denominational and Church of Christ Services! Easter, and Christmas Services, and on and on.
The word evangelist is simply a designation of the man who proclaims the gospel of Christ. The same is true of the designation Gospel preacher, meaning the man is a proclaimer of the gospel of Christ. Since the Roman Catholic Church established Titles such as Pope, Cardinal, Bishop, Father, Reverend, and others, the Protestant Churches joined the fray, referring to their ministers as Reverend, and Pastor. Even today we find added titles such as Bishop, Deacon, and Doctor. Friends, everyone on the face of this earth are equal in the sight of God. Paul stated, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). May we all just stick to what God has commanded, and stop adding to His word? So the next time you see me, why not just refer to me as Mike.
