A photo by Ben White. unsplash.com/photos/BtNxJsFOjtQ
I’m going to start by saying that I’m not directing this post at any congregation. I’m not pinpointing individuals. I’m only relaying what I see in the body of Christ .
My wife and I have talked about this for several years. There are a lot of people in the church who are looking for titles. They want to be Pastor (insert name), Prophet (insert name), Prophetess (insert name), or Bishop (insert name). I could go on with the list of titles that people covet such as deacon, worship pastor, and apostle. I understand people are searching for their calling and we should.
We should pray about what God has called us to do. When we find out what that is we should run hard and do the work that is set before us. However, I have issues with people who want to be introduced by title. Seriously, some people will NOT respond unless their title is used. Now, I’m all for respecting those who are in authority. Don’t get me wrong. However, when you demand a title or that a title be used to address you, you may want to come down off your high horse.
Our Greatest Example
I’d love examples in the bible where people walked around being called by their titles? Let’s look at Jesus our greatest example. Did he demand a title? No. He didn’t have to. Everything he did pointed to who he was. As a matter of fact it says this in Luke chapter 22 KJV.
24And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? isnot he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
That’s pretty straight forward. Verse 26 says he that is greatest should be as the younger and he that is chief as he that doth SERVE. In 27 Jesus says, who is greater the one being served or the one serving? The one serving! Jesus says he was among them as one that serveth. Jesus was a servant. He didn’t have a place to lay his head. He didn’t seek fame. He wasn’t rich in earthly riches. He was an example to us.
So with him as our example shouldn’t our focus be on how we can serve the body of Christ? When we seek to serve God will put us in position, but remember, no matter how high your position, you are still a servant. If you want to be a blessing, serve. Ultimately, your character speaks more than your title.
I go back to my grandmother so many times, because she was a great example of a Godly woman. When we had dinners at church, she would cook more than anyone. She probably spent more money and time than she could afford doing so, but she loved to serve. She found joy in being a servant and in doing so, her cup ran over. She was blessed. God provided for her needs. She volunteered to clean the church. She didn’t mind cleaning a toilet. She would help with youth services and loved being a blessing to people.
Servants. That’s what we are. We are not greater than the master. I may step on a few toes by saying this next thing but I feel it needs to be said. People who go around searching for titles remind me of lucifer. He wanted position and power. Is it not the same thing? People assume that with titles come power. Is this what we seek after? It shouldn’t be.
I’ll leave you with this. As a former associate pastor, I can tell you it’s not a cake walk. With those titles comes great responsibility. If you aren’t willing to hold a toilet brush, then you better not hold a title.