Refuse Titles

Real leadership among God’s people should never be based on titles. The greatest among us is not the one called “Reverend” or “Pastor” or “Father.” Seeking to be called by a prestigious title is a great sin because Jesus prohibited it. But even if he hadn’t, having a title as a Church leader exposes us to the temptation of pride.

But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on Earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in Heaven. Nor are you to be called instructor, for you have one Instructor, the Christ (Matthew 23:8-10).

Jesus said ‘you are not to be called…’ That means that you need to refuse a title. It’s important to correct people if they begin to call you by a title. For example, if they say “Pastor Richard, please come over our house,” Richard will do well to reply, “Please just call me Richard. Your Pastor and mine is the Lord Jesus.” If Richard doesn’t take that approach, he is disobeying Christ and exposes himself to temptation. His attitude should be to always glorify God and to avoid temptation.

Evangelical Titles

Pastor and Deacon are all too often used as titles among Evangelicals, and it has become a dangerous tradition. Will we fall into the same trap as the Catholics who esteem a man according to his title? The Catholics use: Deacon, Chaplain, Pastor, Father, Vicar, Rector, Bishop, Cardinal, and Pope. Are Evangelicals any better because we use less titles? We have Deacon, Pastor, Reverend, Prophet, and Apostle.

What the Church needs is not to have someone called a pastor, but for men to pastor. We need the verb form of pastor to be used among us.

We don’t need men called apostles, but for men to go when God sends them, to establish congregations, and to lay out the groundwork for sound doctrine.

We don’t need people called prophets, but men who will prophesy the truth to us.

We don’t need someone called an evangelist, but for someone to have such an anointing that the unconverted repent when they hear him preach.

The design of God’s Church such that we would all work together to fulfill God’s plan. God did not design an institution governed by a hierarchy of titles. He has given life, through his Spirit, to a Body of believers. Each one moves in accordance to the place they have in the Body.

You Are All Brothers

As we just saw, Jesus stated with crystal clarity that we are all brothers. That doesn’t mean that nobody leads in the Church. It means that brotherly love guides our decisions.

There are indeed leaders in the Church, but those are the men who pastor, preach, teach, evangelize, prophesy, or go out on missions and the other members of the Church should be taught to respect them. Do the people in your congregation appreciate such ministries? They should.

Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and rule over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them beyond all measure in love, because of their work (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13; LEB).

We esteem leaders in the Church because of their work. We respect those who labor among us, rule over us, and admonish us. They are working, so we hold them in high regard—but it’s not because of a title. It’s because of what they do.

Paul named a large list of men who served with him in Colossae. What were the titles he gave to them? He called them beloved brothers, faithful servants, bond-servants (slaves), prisoners, and workers for the Kingdom. He did not call them pastors, deacons, bishops, or chaplains.

As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information… and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your own… Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’ cousin Mark… and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the Kingdom of God who are from the circumcision…

Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers… (Colossians 4:7-12; NASB).

Did you notice? Paul didn't use any titles at all. He only described his brethren with words that describe what people do.

What about Mark? Paul mentioned Mark, the author of the Gospel of Mark. Why not call him the Evangelist as many Bible publishing houses present him? Or why not call him "Saint" Mark? No, for Paul, Mark was Barnabas’ cousin. Indeed, Mark wouldn’t have measured up to much if it weren’t for the encouragement and support of his cousin Barnabas—have you read the story of how Paul gave up on Mark but Barnabas stuck with him?

Let’s consider another brother Paul mentioned in his letter to Colossae, the brother named Jesus. He had a name that didn’t quite meet his spiritual stature. Who can meet the stature of Jesus our Lord?

Why did the members of the Church change their friend Jesus’ name to Justus? It's simple. His original name was too great an honor to bear, so they gave him a downgrade!

You see, the Early Church knew nothing of flattery. They knew nothing of hierarchical titles. They didn't want anybody to have a name that would puff them up. They refused to call someone by a name or title that would make them feel full of themselves or proud.

Don’t Tempt Them

As much as you are able, avoid the use of titles. Avoid this practice out of love for the person leading in your congregation, knowing that flattery can be an overwhelming temptation. It’s hard even for the humblest Bible teacher to resist a feeling of pride when he is called pastor.

Calling people sir or ma’am, is politeness. Giving honor to whom it is due (as we are commanded in Romans 13:7) is a good thing to do. That’s why we treat government officials respectfully; using the titles they may have such as Mr. President, Senator Johnson, or Ambassador Fernandez. That's okay. We use titles when we address people of rank in the government or in worldly institutions.

However, among fellow Christians, we should never allow the use of titles, because it tricks the person (who is simply a brother in Christ) to think that the title is their glory. The glory that awaits Christians comes in the Resurrection. We do not have glory yet. For now, he who humbles himself will be exalted. But let's not exalt ourselves!

Acknowledge Such Men

Okay then, no titles. But still, we should honor those who work diligently among us. We do not do it with titles, but we should honor them by being subject to them. We should honor them by doing what they tell us to do. For example, if they preach love, we should love! If they preach patience, we should be patient. If they call us to prayer, we should pray.

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters: you know the household of Stephanas, that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to ministry to the saints; I urge that you also be subject to such as these and to everyone who helps in the work and labors.

I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men (1 Corinthians 16:15-18; NASB).

According to this text, to whom should we subject ourselves? To those who devote themselves to ministry to God’s people—that means to people who serve!

Good. But that’s not all. We should also subject ourselves to everyone who helps in the work and labors. That means we are to weigh the value of someone’s leadership qualities based on how they help, work, and labor.

In other words, it’s all about what they do, and not about what they are called. According to what Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we should acknowledge the men who ‘supply what is lacking’ (who know how to give) and who ‘refresh our spirits’ (encourage believers in the Faith).

Who encourages people in the Faith—that is, in the sound doctrine? These are most often pastors--the kinds of pastors who dedicate themselves to teaching and preaching!

The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching (1 Timothy 5:17; NASB).

Can you tell when a man is working hard at teaching? It should be obvious to you. Can you see their effort and strain? They often have to pay a high price for what they proclaim to you.

Be Fellow Workers

There were some believers who worked with the apostle John, fellow workers. John sent them to a church where a leader named Diotrephes kicked them out. Before John mentions Diotrephes in his letter, he exhorts the church to receive the missionaries he sent, and to assist them in their service to God.

Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brothers and sisters, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church.

You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such people, so that we may prove to be fellow workers with the Truth (3 John 1:5-8).

What’s the goal when you honor someone who is serving God? The goal is to prove yourself to be a fellow worker. Support those who serve God by giving them lodging. Give them some food and water. But more importantly, support these men by listening to them, and working with them in the Word. How can you do that? By doing what they tell you. That’s the best way to honor them.

Be Obedient

Not even Jesus wants the title Lord unless you’re going to obey him! It sounds insincere. It sounds empty and hollow. It even sounds manipulative. Jesus won’t follow it. He’s no sucker for flattery.

Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Luke 6:46)

And what of God? If he’s a Father, then where is his honor? Let’s not just call him Father. Let’s treat him like one. Let’s not just call him Lord. Let’s obey him! The bottom line is that we must do what God wants, or all our praise, singing, and shouting his name is in vain. Let’s not take God's name in vain--address him with sincerity and fear!

‘A son honors his father, and a slave his master; but if I am a Father, where is my honor, and if I am a Master, where is my reverence?’ says Yahweh of Hosts… (Malachi 1:6; LEB)