Bible Question: We know the Word says to "call no man Father", but where does it say we are allowed to call preachers and ministers reverend? |
Bible Answer: Greetings BobMann! It did a little research on the word 'Reverend." It seems to have developed very late in history. It was at first used for only certain levels in the Church structure. But, later it came to refer to all clergy. There is some debate about whether or not the use of the title for clergy is a good idea. My personal opinion is that no matter how it first started to be used, in our culture is simply is a prefix like 'Mr.' or 'Dr.' used to represent someone who is a memeber of the clergy. One pastor responded in the following way on a discussion board: "On the discussion board there was a response that said to use the word "Reverend" was blasphamous and that it was in the Bible that it was blasphemus. I would like to share with you the origin of the word Reverend as taken from the encyclopedia Britanica. Reverend is the prefix of written address to the names of ministers of most Christian denominations. In the 15th century it was used as a general term of respectful address, but it has been habitually used as a title prefixed to the names of ordained clergy since the 17th century. In the Church of England and in most other denominations in english speaking countries, deans, provosts, cathedral canons, rectors of seminaries and colleges are addressed as "very reverand and archbishops are addressed as "most reverend." Joy in Christ, Rev. Denise." -- Rev. Denise Rogers (mzone@usa.net), December 29, 2000 Personally, I don't use the title much. In official correspondance, I sign with Rev. Timothy S. Moran. However, in church, I prefer to be addressed as Pastor. I hope this helps! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |