Comments on: Calling someone just "Pastor" instead of their first name. http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/ Musings by Jon Acuff Tue, 22 May 2012 20:17:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Betty Bonn http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-194847 Betty Bonn Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:07:54 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-194847 I agree with this post whole heartedly. I am sickened by the spirit of familiarity that has seeped into the church. Calling any authority figure by his/her first name is a well known technique of "leveling," practiced by people who have issues with authority figures. Look it up in your psychology textbook. I agree with this post whole heartedly. I am sickened by the spirit of familiarity that has seeped into the church. Calling any authority figure by his/her first name is a well known technique of “leveling,” practiced by people who have issues with authority figures. Look it up in your psychology textbook.

]]> By: Servant http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-179289 Servant Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:35:39 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-179289 Wow, for what it's worth, to much disrespect is being tossed around in this little conversation. I grew up understanding how to honor those in my life that had specific roles. For example, my mother or mom, she was never Vivian nor was my father or dad William. We also called my parents friends Mr. or Mrs.and then by their last name. It's simple respect. Some of you have turned this into a power trip thing. If you really are under the leadership of a man or woman of God who has displayed true humility and their desire is to lead as they have been instructed by God the you shouldn't have a problem calling them Pastor. If not then you might want to consider if that's the church you should attend! I agree with Jim wholeheartedly. Listen if were just friends and you don't believe your pastor has been called out by God to lead this certain group of believers, then you should just go over to your friends house and study scriptures! As Jim stated in his two cents, it's really not about the title, it's about the responsibility and respect. Pastors do funerals, weddings, counseling and lead churches. If the title isn't necessary why would God have wasted time stating them in scripture (Eph4:11) furthermore the bible says that God will give your shepherds after his own heart (Jeremiah 3:15)So if you have a shepherd who is seeking his own kingdom, again I say pray and see if that's the place for you. The biggest question is here, is are you living a Christ centered, God fearing life? That's all that really matters! I have found that people who get hung up on one thing in particular usually have some insecurity in another area of their lives their compensating for. Lastly, let me share this, it's arguments like this that keep people from church who aren't believers but they see we can't even be on the same page...oh yeah, I guess most of the people who wrote negatively about calling their pastor by title also think Jesus is their HOMEBOY! Wow, for what it’s worth, to much disrespect is being tossed around in this little conversation. I grew up understanding how to honor those in my life that had specific roles. For example, my mother or mom, she was never Vivian nor was my father or dad William. We also called my parents friends Mr. or Mrs.and then by their last name. It’s simple respect. Some of you have turned this into a power trip thing. If you really are under the leadership of a man or woman of God who has displayed true humility and their desire is to lead as they have been instructed by God the you shouldn’t have a problem calling them Pastor. If not then you might want to consider if that’s the church you should attend! I agree with Jim wholeheartedly. Listen if were just friends and you don’t believe your pastor has been called out by God to lead this certain group of believers, then you should just go over to your friends house and study scriptures! As Jim stated in his two cents, it’s really not about the title, it’s about the responsibility and respect. Pastors do funerals, weddings, counseling and lead churches. If the title isn’t necessary why would God have wasted time stating them in scripture (Eph4:11) furthermore the bible says that God will give your shepherds after his own heart (Jeremiah 3:15)So if you have a shepherd who is seeking his own kingdom, again I say pray and see if that’s the place for you. The biggest question is here, is are you living a Christ centered, God fearing life? That’s all that really matters! I have found that people who get hung up on one thing in particular usually have some insecurity in another area of their lives their compensating for. Lastly, let me share this, it’s arguments like this that keep people from church who aren’t believers but they see we can’t even be on the same page…oh yeah, I guess most of the people who wrote negatively about calling their pastor by title also think Jesus is their HOMEBOY!

]]> By: cory http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-160511 cory Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:29:58 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-160511 i thought i was the only one i thought i was the only one

]]> By: Amy http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-141106 Amy Fri, 22 Oct 2010 22:40:43 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-141106 In my old church he wasn't a pastor but a bishop. So everyone calls him Bishop like it's his name. "Hey, Bishop, how are ya?" It's funny. In my old church he wasn't a pastor but a bishop. So everyone calls him Bishop like it's his name. "Hey, Bishop, how are ya?" It's funny.

]]> By: meganblaire http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-138987 meganblaire Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:31:37 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-138987 I can see your point. But where I come from, getting called "Pastor" is a sign of respect. I've been in church situations where the pastor was called by just his first name, because we didn't really respect him in the position he was in. The church I go to now has more than one pastor on staff and they are all called Pastor whatever their first name is. All expect Pastor, who HATES his first and middle name, and goes by Pastor only ;) I can see your point. But where I come from, getting called "Pastor" is a sign of respect. I've been in church situations where the pastor was called by just his first name, because we didn't really respect him in the position he was in. The church I go to now has more than one pastor on staff and they are all called Pastor whatever their first name is. All expect Pastor, who HATES his first and middle name, and goes by Pastor only ;)

]]> By: Heather B http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-1/#comment-138168 Heather B Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:43:20 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-138168 Haha! We wouldn't call Jon, "Writer Jon" or "Blogger Jon".... and we wouldn't call our plumber, "Plumber Tom"... so why do we do that with pastors?! Haha! We wouldn't call Jon, "Writer Jon" or "Blogger Jon"…. and we wouldn't call our plumber, "Plumber Tom"… so why do we do that with pastors?!

]]> By: pamnjeromy http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-111343 pamnjeromy Wed, 07 Jul 2010 03:48:24 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-111343 Imagine what it's like for the military Chaplain's that can only be referred to as Chaplain... last name... or just Chaplain. My husband would much rather be known by his first name, but due to protocol and respect issues, he can't have it that way. Imagine what it's like for the military Chaplain's that can only be referred to as Chaplain… last name… or just Chaplain. My husband would much rather be known by his first name, but due to protocol and respect issues, he can't have it that way.

]]> By: Auggie http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-111339 Auggie Wed, 07 Jul 2010 02:38:25 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-111339 The problem with it is that it objectifies the pastor, which sets him up to be a super-human of sorts. The problem with it is that it objectifies the pastor, which sets him up to be a super-human of sorts.

]]> By: Jake http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-105842 Jake Thu, 17 Jun 2010 16:09:57 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-105842 At what point is one "holy" enough to get the "Pastor" title? Does the youth pastor get it? Do we cheapen the title if we use it on too many? How do I rack up enough points to go by "Reverend"? (Personal Pet Peeve, you honestly think you deserve to be revered? Do you know what that means? I personally haven't met any pastor who inspires awe, fear, or veneration.) At what point is one "holy" enough to get the "Pastor" title? Does the youth pastor get it? Do we cheapen the title if we use it on too many? How do I rack up enough points to go by "Reverend"? (Personal Pet Peeve, you honestly think you deserve to be revered? Do you know what that means? I personally haven't met any pastor who inspires awe, fear, or veneration.)

]]> By: Amber Leigh http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/comment-page-2/#comment-105682 Amber Leigh Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:37:58 +0000 http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2008/04/158-calling-someone-just-pastor-instead-of-their-first-name/#comment-105682 What I think is extremely awkward is when the pastor's wife refers to him as "Pastor" when speaking to other members of the congregation. I want to say, "Uhh...hello? Don't you wake up next to him every morning in the same bed? I think you have the right to call him by his first name." Awkward! Although, when I worked at a residential treatment facility for at-risk teens, they often called me "Rev" after word got out that I am also a minister. What I think is extremely awkward is when the pastor's wife refers to him as "Pastor" when speaking to other members of the congregation. I want to say, "Uhh…hello? Don't you wake up next to him every morning in the same bed? I think you have the right to call him by his first name." Awkward!

Although, when I worked at a residential treatment facility for at-risk teens, they often called me "Rev" after word got out that I am also a minister.

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