And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served (that were beyond the flood) or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but I and mine house will serve the Lord.
Then the people answered and said, God forbid, that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods.
Joshua 24:15-16 The Holy Bible, Geneva 1599
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Titles & Entitlements - Fact or Fluff
Posted by RevJoseph on January 9, 2012, 3:58 pm
There is a long-standing tradition in the church to use honorific titles identifying priesthood positions for men at just about every level beginning when they become missionaries. Elder, Bishop, President.
Women — even those who hold similarly named positions — are generally referred to as simply “sister.” I can recall less than a handful of times when a woman was referred to by title.
When temple presidents are called, the wife is called the “matron.” I suppose that’s a title (although I’ve never heard anyone in such a position addressed as “Matron Thompson”), but really it just means “sober, middle-aged, married woman.” Which is kind of like giving a guy the title of “geezer.”
In the past, whenever I’ve asked someone about this disparity, the answer I get is generally one of these:
Why do you want a title? Titles don’t matter. But if titles really don’t matter, then why do we use them?
Shouldn't the focus be on the church body, and not on lofty titles and such?
I have been consecrated in Apostolic Succession, but find that many place un-neccesary weight on the title, and focus less on what the responsibility is to the overall church body is.
I am no more nor less responsible to the church body with or without the title.
Take the title, and a buck fifty, and you can get a small cup of coffee. The title doesn't define who I am in Christ.
At the beginning, middle and end of the day, I am still Joe, called by God, to do the work He has placed before me, to grow His Kingdom.
All the other stuff is fluff, in comparison to being the individual, seeking first the Kingdom of God.
Many forget that there is the awesome responsibility, they focus only on what they feel is status. We need to remember that when we take our eyes off the goal, things never work out right.
It is good to hear from you Brother(egad, a title!)
"Here is the patience of the Saints: those here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Rev. 14:12 (Geneva 1560)
"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 ESV All rights reserved. Praise, I said praise The Lord!