Title Usage In The UPC: Brother & Sister So and So

[PraiseHymn]

I had a question, in the UPCI, is the titles Brother and Sister reserved only for the Pastor and his wife, or does everyone call one another Brother So and So and Sister So and So. I ask because whenever I introduce myself at church as Brother_____ the person always responds with just their first name. I guess I am just use to introducing myself as Brother ____ versus just my first name in a church setting. Your thoughts.....thanks...

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by PraiseHymn

I had a question, in the UPCI, is the titles Brother and Sister reserved only for the Pastor and his wife, or does everyone call one another Brother So and So and Sister So and So. I ask because whenever I introduce myself at church as Brother_____ the person always responds with just their first name. I guess I am just use to introducing myself as Brother ____ versus just my first name in a church setting. Your thoughts.....thanks...

Uh, when I was UPC this was common but among my peer group and younger we stopped doing this. Personally, I would never introduce myself as "Brother ____" just as I wouldn't introduce myself as "Mr. _____". Times are changing and this is one tradition that won't be around for long.

[RandyWayne]

I just call everyone "Bruce".

....or "Vern", as in "Ya know what I mean Vern?".

[Brad Murphy]

I had this conversation a while back... turns out I am just disrespectful and rebellious since I don't use titles... if you aren't willing to be on a first name basis with me then I don't really see why I should waste any time in any given relationship... I will say Mr. or Mrs. to old people (especially strangers) just because I know they expect it, but that is about the only time I do so...

[MissBrattified]

I think the usage is phasing itself out for the most part, but it should still be used as a term of initial respect, unless the other person gives permission to use his/her first name.

I don't think it is mandatory, but since many Christians do see it as disrespect if you don't use brother or sister, then it is simply polite to use it. Much like calling a doctor "Dr. _____" unless he says, "You can call me ______."

I have seen instances where folks who were upset with a pastor or fellow Christian would deliberately call them by their first name OR would say "Mr. _____" showing they didn't view them as a brother or sister. No excuse for that, IMO.

Elders especially should be referred to in a respectful manner.

[Brad Murphy]

I find it presumptious when people do call me "brother"... so you can't win!

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Brad Murphy

I find it presumptuous when people do call me "brother"... so you can't win!

More likely, it's just that people don't want to offend you. Just say, "Call me 'Brad'" and set them at ease.

[mfblume]

It's an older tradition in the UPC to call most everyone "Brother ____".

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by mfblume

It's an older tradition in the UPC to call most everyone "Brother ____".

It's also a tradition of your typical lodge. "I now yield the floor to Brother Kramden.)

[MrsMcD]

I prefer to be called by my first name only. I don't like to be called sister. That's just my personal preference.