I once spoke at a senior citizens center. The activities director asked me if I wished to be called Pastor or Reverend. I said neither. Yet, she introduced me as Reverend, anyway.

Religious titles are so entrenched in the religious world that people’s brains seem hardwired to use them.

God’s Word is our guide, not tradition. God never changes his definitions and we are bound to comply (Psalm 119:89; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Reverend is used only once in Scripture.

“He sent redemption unto his people: he hath

commanded his covenant for ever: holy and

reverend is his name” (Psalm 111:9, KJV).

The word “reverend” means “mighty and dreadful, something to be feared.” While people are nervous around preachers, we’re not to be spiritually feared because we don’t possess the power of life and death.

Righteousness should always take precedence over ego.

Reverend is God’s name, alone. Adding “Right,” “Dr.” or “Very” to Reverend doesn’t change God’s definitions, either (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Pastors are a specific group in Scripture, separate from preachers. Pastors are to be overseers (1 Peter 5:2). They feed, tend, care for the flock and lead as godly men. In Acts 20:28, the Holy Spirit “has made you overseers [Bishops]” (NKJV).

He makes them by giving them qualifications, which they must meet (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9). The Holy Spirit commanded Titus to appoint a plurality of elders in every church (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23).

Elders, Bishops and Pastors are overseers in the Church and they are separate from preachers (Ephesians 4:11).

Pastors shepherd the flock, looking out for the souls of the congregation (1 Timothy 3:5), while preachers spend their time teaching and preaching (Acts 15:35).

The Lord designed this plan to facilitate the work of the Gospel.

Preachers work under and alongside Pastors, as separate entities. Let God’s plan, not tradition, rule in every Church.

—- by Richard Mansel