Articles
We Are All Brethren
Bryan Garlock
Occasionally, I am called “Pastor Bryan” or “Reverend Bryan.” It is no secret that many religious people refer to their preachers as “Pastor,” “Father,” “Reverend,” “Dr.,” etc. I will admit, at first glance, that the title “Pastor Bryan” seems harmless and perhaps complimentary of this writer’s chosen profession. For anyone who devotes his life to the gospel, it only seems right to give such a person an appropriate title. However, while something may seem right (cf. Prov. 16.25), to be pleasing to the Lord we must test its use (cf. 1 Thess. 5.21). In this article, we will test such a seemingly harmless practice of using religious titles.
There are several scriptures that help us to define the word “pastor.” Peter wrote, “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder…: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight (“serving as overseers” NKJV) …. (1 Peter 5.1-3, ESV). As Paul was departing for Jerusalem he met with the “elders” in Ephesus and told them, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God...” (Acts 20.28, NKJV). Notice in these two passages where the writers used the word “elders” that they also used its counterparts “shepherd” and “overseers” (NKJV). This is because the three words are synonymous. In addition, in Titus 1.7, Paul tells Titus that an elder must be trustworthy as a “steward” of God.
We learn from these passages that elders are overseers, shepherds, and stewards. An overseer is one who exercises oversight much like a guardian would do, while a shepherd is one who cares for, tends to, or feeds the flock of God. We get our term “pastor” from these scriptures. It should be noted that the same Greek word translated “shepherd” is also translated “pastor” in Eph. 4.11 (NKJV). Further, the same word translated “overseer” is also translated “bishop.” One should not be confused by these different terms because they essentially apply to the same office. One who is an appointed elder is also an overseer/bishop, pastor/shepherd, and steward!
We can therefore conclude that “pastor” is an office to hold and a description of a task, not a title for man to wear. An elder is a pastor because he shepherds the flock, an overseer is a bishop because he exercises oversight and a steward because he is entrusted with God’s flock.
Additionally, we learn from Scripture that a pastor and a preacher are not necessarily the same thing. While a man can be both a preacher and a pastor (see 1 Tim. 5.17), a preacher who does not meet the qualifications cannot be appointed as a pastor (1 Tim. 3.1-7; Titus 1.5-9).
This is true of me. Just because I preach, I am not qualified to be a pastor though I desire the office eventually. I must satisfy the qualifications before I can take such an office (see 1 Tim. 3.1-7; Titus 1.5-9).
We have shown that the term pastor is a description of the function of an elder. We also noted that some preachers are not even qualified to be pastors. Now that we understand this, is there anything inherently wrong with calling a preacher “Pastor”?
Jesus declared, “But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 23.8-11, ESV).
In context, Jesus is speaking of religious titles given to men. In fact, He condemned all who would wear religious titles. One reason is for equality in Christ. Since we are all brethren, bearing a religious name such as “Father,” “Reverend,” “Pastor,” etc. elevates one brother above the other. Furthermore, it demonstrates the attitude behind those who seek to wear such names. In Matthew 23 Jesus dealt with those who performed deeds to be seen by men, loved the praise of men, and especially loved when men called them by religious names (see Matt. 23.5-7). Not every person who wears a religious title does so because of selfish ambition; nevertheless, such honor should only be bestowed upon deity. This religious practice started when men redefined the work and role of the eldership, seeking to elevate one man over another by making distinctions with unscriptural offices and later the addition of titles.
Some religious people wish to honor another by calling them “Father,” “Reverend,” “Pastor,” “Your Eminence,” “Your Holiness,” etc. We would do well to remember the words of Job, “I will not show partiality to any man or use flattery toward any person...” (Job 32.21-22). Flattering one with such a holy name not only gives praise to man, but takes the praise from the one who deserves it. The Psalmist declared, “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name” (Psalm 111.9). The only One who is worthy to wear the name “reverend” is God the Father.
To find consistency in those who believe that one cannot use religious titles, some will argue that since Jesus said, “…call no man your father on earth…”, we are not even allowed to call our earthly male parent “Father”. Since Jesus is only condemning titles in a religious sense, He does not mean this (notice Heb. 12.7), any more than that we cannot call a professor “instructor” (Matt. 23.8-11). One is simply acknowledging the position while the other is acknowledging deity. Additionally, there is a stark contrast in calling your earthly father a “father” and calling one who claims to be a priest “Father”. The latter puts one on par with God the Father.
The term “pastor” belongs to the elder; “reverend” belongs to God. Call me Bryan. BG
