Let’s Talk About Titles
📝Scripture:
“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 instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:8-12 NIV
Let’s talk about something that may step on a few toes: titles in the church.
Pastor. Bishop. Apostle. Prophet. Evangelist. Doctor. Minister…and many more that I don’t even feel like trying to remember…
There is nothing wrong with having a role, position, or responsibility within the Body of Christ. Scripture clearly speaks about different gifts and functions within the Church.
In fact all callings are servant based positions. Jesus’ entire life was servant based. We see that in Mark 10:45 NKJV, Jesus said, “ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
But the problem comes when the title becomes the identity, and eventually, the idol. Jesus is the greatest High Priest the only one who was able to free the world of her sins, through the sacrifice of His life on Calvary.. (see Luke 23)
No one born into sin could do this! No other man, or woman could do this. Jesus didn’t even hang around the religious leaders… they hated Him, because He exposed the Idolatry in their hearts.
Honestly, if we're spilling the beans, this is something I've mostly spotted in the Black community, Black cultures, and among the Catholics.
Somewhere along the way, titles became attached to status.
We will seek counsel and guidance primarily from leaders with titles instead of going to the Father for ourselves.
Family we have direct access to our Heavenly Father.
Some people will literally become offended because you called them by their name instead of saying Pastor, Bishop, Prophet, Doctor or Apostle first.
But family… when did being called by the name your mama gave you become disrespectful?
When did serving Jesus become about making sure everybody acknowledges our position?
Jesus warned about religious leaders who loved recognition…
“they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.”
Matthew 23:6-7 NIV
That should make all of us check our hearts.
Because you can carry a legit calling and still become prideful about the title attached to it.
You can be ordained and still need humility.
You can pastor thousands and still be a servant.
You can prophesy accurately and still be somebody’s brother or sister in Christ.
The title does not make you more valuable to God.
Paul wrote…
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,”
Galatians 3:26 NIV
Before anything else, we belong to Christ.
Before Pastor, I am His.
Before Bishop, I am His.
Before Apostle, I am His.
Before Prophet, I am His.
Before Minister, I am His.
And if somebody simply calling you by your birth name makes you feel dishonored, maybe the question isn’t whether they respect your calling.
Maybe the question is….
Have I attached too much of my identity to my title?
There is a difference between respecting leadership and idolizing leadership.
There is a difference between honoring someone’s calling and elevating them above the rest of the Body.
We are still brothers and sisters in Christ.
The person behind the pulpit needs the same blood of Jesus as the person sitting in the last row.
We have different assignments, different gifts, and different responsibilities..but one Lord.
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV
So serve where God has called you.
Walk boldly in the assignment He has given you.
Honor those who God has placed in leadership.
But never become so attached to a title that you forget who you are without it.
Don’t forget that people in leadership are human and wringing out their sin right along with you.
One day, none of those titles will matter.
The question will not be whether people called you Doctor, Pastor, Bishop, Apostle, Prophet…etc
What matters is whether you belonged to Jesus Christ.
Your identity is found in Christ alone.
And sometimes the biggest heart check is asking ourselves..
If nobody ever acknowledged my title again, would I still serve Jesus with the same joy, humility, and obedience?
That answer may reveal whether we are carrying the title…
or whether the title is carrying us.
-Obedience Over Compromise
The Surrendered Walk🤍
This blog was encouraged by Pastor Michael T. Weaks of Greater Missions Ministries
I loved every word written because it is the truth ‼️and we know that it’s the truth that makes us free🙌🏽we are all sisters and brothers in Christ 💜
Obedience over compromise!!!!! Your title doesn't define you, your character does!!!