"First Lady"
 

Does anyone's assembly use this term to refer to the pastor's wife?

If there is a first lady, who is the "Last Lady"?

Will the first not be last one day? Is the "First Lady" calling herself that so that she may be humbled for all eternity?

Does this exalting of oneself while here on earth, and in the church, sort of perpetuate the idea of the "ministry" and the "ministry's family" being of the "spiritual upper class/caste", and the others being below? Possibly even putting the saints as servants to the "ministry" (which, to minister is meant as "to serve")?

Lastly, why would a term the Gentiles use, "First Lady" for the wife of the President of the United States, be used as a title for a pastor's wife, when we are not supposed to be as the Gentiles in our form of leadership?

I'm looking forward to a good dialoge, where we can discuss this tradition that had developed.

-Bro. Alex

Re: "First Lady"
 

This is an expression I first heard in the Black Apostolic church I attended. It was meant merely as a term of endearment and respect.

She was not calling herself that, and was usually only mentioned when introducing her before the congregation or at a special event...i.e. "We present to you our Pastor, and the First Lady of this assembly..."

Never, EVER thought of it as being in the class/caste system, and still don't.

Re: "First Lady"
 

I was raised by a lady with the title "Haus frau".

house woman.

Re: "First Lady"
 

A church I've visited refers to their pastors wife as "Queen."

Not kidding. Refer to her by "Queen" and her last name.

:crazy

Re: "First Lady"
 

Ironically I was watching a video where a female pastor was sitting on a throne smack in the middle of the platform and the thought occurred to me how many people MIGHT become pastors because that is the only way they will ever be a king or queen and have a kingdom

Re: "First Lady"
 

Bro. Alex. This is a term used in many many predominate black churches for the wife of the pastor. I have never heard it used where the pastor is white. The first lady does not used the title herself and does not sign papers or flyers with "first lady." It is just a term of respect.
I think it comes from the belief that there is only one pastor! In many churches now both husband and wife are called "pastors." The wife is sometimes called "pastor (insert first name)." But in most black churches only the man/husband is called pastor. I know of one church where husband is "bishop" and wife is the "pastor." One major point...it seems to me that titles are much more important to the black churches and they almost throw them around by habit...everyone has a title.

Re: "First Lady"
 

Why not. That is the spirit that many pastors have. Instead of seeing themselves as everyones MINISTER, on the bottom of the pile, they have exalted themselves and are #1 top dog!

Re: "First Lady"
 

Sometimes I jokingly refer to myself as "First Lady" because that's what all the African Americans in my church call me. I think it's cute, but I don't take it seriously. It's just a cultural difference.

Re: "First Lady"
 

appalling

Re: "First Lady"
 

I've seen white pastor's wife called the first lady.
I don't think it was her idea but heard the term many times in regard to her.

Re: "First Lady"
 

Im gonna start calling myself "First Brother"...I think after a year I will then call my self "Most Righteous Brother"...