“Just call me pastor, son”.

[Tithesmeister]

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Old 06-06-2019, 02:00 PM
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TK Burk TK Burk is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Wisconsin
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Re: When your own wife and kids call you, Pastor
I had one pastor tell me he'd rather have his kids think of him as their pastor than their dad. I was shocked.

I have never enjoyed being called "pastor." I much prefer "Brother" being used before my name. I see it this way:

I introduce my self by the name "Tom Burk" because that's who I am.

My parents called me "son" because that's who I am.

My wife introduces me as "Husband" because that's who I am.

My kids call me "Dad" because that's who I am.

But "Pastor" is not who I am--it's what I do.

So, to me, calling a person "pastor" is like calling others in the church names like "housewife." "Fireman," "waitress," store clerk," retiree," or whatever else they do. Such names are titles or descriptions of what they do, not names of who they are.
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[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by coksiw

The excessive exaltation of specific brethren is seen as wrong by most saints. The humble attitude instead is commendable, appreciated, and praised, just in case you haven’t figured that out yet.
If you have been around saints as another saint, not as a “minister”, you will find out how the humble spirit, reflected in even the details, are usually praised. They say brother so is so “humble” or “down to earth” and they all would love to be under him.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

[Bro Flame]

It doesn't seem weird that they'd acknowledge him as "Pastor" of the church OR as the "Pastor" of their lives, but them calling him such seems somewhat odd.

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by Bro Flame

It doesn't seem weird that they'd acknowledge him as "Pastor" of the church OR as the "Pastor" of their lives, but them calling him such seems somewhat odd.

Exactly, like the New Testament church. They recognized the work and calling of people like James, Paul, John, etc…, but never used titles when referring to them. So odd! Those NT people should’ve known better and respected them by using titles in front of names instead!

[Hoovie]

I’m not big on titles….

Often they seem to be used to show approval or disapproval of a particular individual.

But generally speaking I can take it or leave it. The reason why a young minister might say, “as the brother has stated…” even if it’s his own Father, is to show the brotherhood in the body of Christ. I suppose the same could be said about “pastor”. He is pastor to the whole church including his family. Of course that particular title isn’t used much in scripture, but that’s another thread.

[votivesoul]

Isn't it strange how the word "pastor" more so than "shepherd" has become the norm?

Or bishop instead of overseer?

Deacon instead of servant?

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by coksiw

Exactly, like the New Testament church. They recognized the work and calling of people like James, Paul, John, etc…, but never used titles when referring to them. So odd! Those NT people should’ve known better and respected them by using titles in front of names instead!

All of those apostles just needed Brother Nicodemus to show them a more perfect way.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

I’m not big on titles….

Often they seem to be used to show approval or disapproval of a particular individual.

But generally speaking I can take it or leave it. The reason why a young minister might say, “as the brother has stated…” even if it’s his own Father, is to show the brotherhood in the body of Christ. I suppose the same could be said about “pastor”. He is pastor to the whole church including his family. Of course that particular title isn’t used much in scripture, but that’s another thread.

Wow! How long has it been since Hoovie posted? I’m glad to hear from you.

Aaaand you’re right. If the word pastor occurred one fewer time in the New Testament, it wouldn’t occur at all. But it did occur once so there’s that.

The role of the pastor in the Bible is sufficiently vague to allow people who are inclined to do so, to make it up. And that’s what they do.

Who was the pastor of the church at Jerusalem?

Rome?

Corinth?

Colosse?

Philippi?

Galatia?

Etc?

Odd isn’t it?

According to Brother Nicodemus and many pastors, the pastor is the MOST important person in the church. But we don’t really know who is officially the pastor of ANY of the New Testament churches.

Weird!

Now let’s talk about apostles.

Does anyone know who the apostles in the New Testament were?

Different story altogether.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

Isn't it strange how the word "pastor" more so than "shepherd" has become the norm?

Or bishop instead of overseer?

Deacon instead of servant?

VS?

Could you hazard a guess as to why that happens?

Any ideas that we could chew on?

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

Who was the pastor of the church at Jerusalem?

Rome?

Corinth?

Colosse?

Philippi?

Galatia?

Etc?

Odd isn’t it?

According to Brother Nicodemus and many pastors, the pastor is the MOST important person in the church. But we don’t really know who is officially the pastor of ANY of the New Testament churches.

Another interesting thing I've heard in the past couple years, was the pastors being referred to as angels. Specifically, it was referencing the passages from Revelations, where John wrote:

Revelation 2:12
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write

Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write

They were saying angel in this case actually means the pastor. I don't recall any more of it beyond what I wrote, so I'm not sure what the justification was for that.