Is my first name now “pastor”?
December 4th, 2007 by Marc
Those who’ve been to our church know that I’m not hung up on being called “Pastor” or “Pastor Marc.”
I usually say that I don’t call you by your gifting: “hi Intercessor Joe” or “Hey there Mercy Sue.” So why would I expect you to call me “Pastor Marc” any more than I’d expect to be called “Leadership Marc,” “Giving Marc,” or even “Tongues Marc.” (Don’t even get me started with “evangelist” or “prophet”!)
Reading Todd Bolen’s blog today, I remembered an interesting biblical passage that always caught my attention. I even got into an altercation with Father Fred in high school over this. (I was picking theological fights even back then. What a nerd-y thing to do!)
The passage is Mt 23:8-12 (TNIV):
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Read Todd’s thoughts here.
Feel free to post your comments to this. I’d love to know what you think.
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