When I started with WBC back in June '99 I did an introductory series on my view of the church and the role of the pastor in it. One of the things I spoke about was what I preferred to be called. There is a long, venerable tradition in the church of using various titles for men in the ministry, Reverend, Pastor, and so on. If they have an advanced degree then "Doctor." In some of the high, more liturgical churches they have titles like "Father," "Bishop," and so on.

I don't care to make a big issue of this, but I am asked often, especially by new folks coming into the church how I prefer to be addressed. My personal preference is to be called by my name, "Tim," when addressed by other adults. Children and younger folks can call me "Mr. Crater." I have no objection at all to being referred to as the pastor of our church, or to being labeled as a minister or clergyman. Those are useful descriptions which inform people of what I do, what my profession is. "His holiness" has a nice ring about it, but I think I'll pass on such titles too, even when I'm being spoken about and not to. (I'm jesting, of course!)

In addition to it being my personal preference, I am somewhat constrained in this area by the Lord's own instruction on the use of titles for those in leadership in his church. In Matt. 23:6-10 He spoke of such things in His rather heated and severe verbal trouncing of the Scribes and Pharisees, the religious leaders of His own day and culture. One can easily imagine His face being beet-red and the veins in His neck bulging as He delivered this scorching rebuke to those who would end up having Him crucified. This is not Gentle Jesus Meek and Mild here, but an irate Messiah unloading on those who had plundered, misled and abused the people of God.

Here He excoriates them for loving the seats of honor, both at social events and synagogue meetings (v. 6), for loving respectful greetings and being called "Rabbi" (v. 7). Then He outright commands the church that it should not call or be called "Rabbi," but to remember that all of us are brothers and we have One Rabbi/Teacher--Christ (v. 8). He also says not to call anyone on earth "Father," meaning I presume, a spiritual father as opposed to our physical dads. That title spiritually is reserved for the Father in Heaven alone (v. 9). He even bans calling someone "Teacher," that is, using it as a title in direct address as opposed to mere description of one's function.

Perhaps there's something here I don't see, but until I see it I'm a bit hesitant to use such titles or to cross the spirit of His teaching here. Now, I'm not on a crusade to end the use of Rev. and Pastor, etc., and I don't go apoplectic when people use them with me. I realize they are accustomed to do so, think I expect them to do this, and usually are sincere and mean well. As occasion permits, I'll convey my preference to them. I don't even like being addressed as "Brother Tim," which some have done in years gone by. But just so you'll know, I like my name and it's more biblical than titles. Timothy was a pastor under Paul and his name is a combination of two Greek words--"timon," meaning "honor, honoring" and "theos," meaning "God." Given Matthew 23, I think I can best live up to it by not embracing titles in my work. So, just call me "Tim."