Is This Environment Wholesome?

If there are people that I have known my whole life as, "Bro. Smith", I will still call them "Bro. Smith"... I don't downgrade titles, I just don't add them onto people I already know.

*well* I have downgraded a few very specifically to make a point. lol. (a few that are/were preachers who I absolutely do not recognize as having any right to be called one... so I refer to them by their last name only).

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

If there are people that I have known my whole life as, "Bro. Smith", I will still call them "Bro. Smith"... I don't downgrade titles, I just don't add them onto people I already know.

*well* I have downgraded a few very specifically to make a point. lol. (a few that are/were preachers who I absolutely do not recognize as having any right to be called one... so I refer to them by their last name only).

Such rebellion!

[DividedThigh]

My father just retired and was the pastor of his church for over 50 years, alway affectionately called brother Paul, nothing else ever made any diff to him, it is who we are that matters not what folks call us, dt

My grandmother did call her brother, "Bro. Jones" since she went to his church...

I respect it in an old-fashioned kinda way, I just don't see the need. If we start calling Jesus, Bro. Jesus and Paul, Bro. Paul, etc. then it might make more sense... why give people living now special titles when we don't even use them for the "legends".

[DividedThigh]

Originally Posted by Sheltiedad

My grandmother did call her brother, "Bro. Jones" since she went to his church...

I respect it in an old-fashioned kinda way, I just don't see the need. If we start calling Jesus, Bro. Jesus and Paul, Bro. Paul, etc. then it might make more sense... why give people living now special titles when we don't even use them for the "legends".

My only point sheltie, is that just being who he was and is was enough for my dad, not being called rev or pastor, or whatever, there were many people who thought calling him just bro paul was disrespectful, but not him, dt

[Sister Alvear]

Most people in the states call me Sister Alvear, Sister Jan, Sister Janice or even Sister Missionary....in Brazil most people call me missionary...some I doubt if they even know my name!
Whatever people call is fine. I don´t like those relationships where people feel they have to call someone by a certain name or title...

[Sister Alvear]

I think people could say, Sister Alvear in a tone of disrespect and someone else say Janice in a respectful tone...
Some people are out their DEMANDING respect...those people may have someone calling them by last name and titles but if they do not deserve it you can always tell...

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Three questions.

1. Is it good for pastors and saints to have the level of discussion and familiarity that is present on AFF?
2. Does it lead to an overall lack of respect for ministry in general?
3. Should the ministers who post on AFF move to ministers only forums?

Is there supposed to be a difference between "clergy" versus "laity", anyway? (I do not think so).

[DividedThigh]

Last year at wis camp bro gleason preached a message entitled the power is in the pew, wow was it awesome, all in the same boat, i think, dt

[KwaiQ]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Is there supposed to be a difference between "clergy" versus "laity", anyway? (I do not think so).

For the most part, no. But I think more responsibility is placed on a preacher, esp. a pastor. IMHO