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Post by stillfocused on Jan 8, 2007 12:22:16 GMT -5
I have been asking myself for many years why is required that we call each other Sis. Nettie and Bro. Bo. Even to the point when we are not in at church on our jobs, the mall, and etc. we still address each as such. As for some we have been friends and the best of friends for 1 - 10 yrs.; and then suddenly Toni; becomes Sis Toni because we are attending the same place of worship. It's a no wonder people get up hung up and uptight when you don't address by them by title. Seriously, though does anyone have any insight on why this begin ? I know some of it is tradition..church standards, and etc..yet, is in the Bible ? if so, where ? I
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 8, 2007 13:51:14 GMT -5
Many times in the Epistles Paul will refer to fellow believers as "brothers" [sisters], though there is nowhere listed in the bible where we have to call anyone by any title at all. I simply call them as I see them be it Apostle, Pastor, Brother, Sister, etc.
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Post by stillfocused on Jan 8, 2007 15:15:41 GMT -5
ASWSOY..thanks for your response..I understand what have said. Thanks for responding !! Yes, Paul did acknowledge them as his brothers and sisters; yet, he did not address as such..example..he acknowledges Phoebe as a dear sister..yet, he never acknowledged her as Sis Phoebe..so it this doctrine taught of men to show respect ? Is it because it's easier to call someone Sis Bonita..or Bro Brown because their "status' has changed because they are now a part of the "family of believers?
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 9, 2007 7:02:29 GMT -5
I believe that all of the "title" dropping was "added" by men, yes. However, I don't always have a problem with it. I have a problem when someone makes it a "requirement" for me to do so. I also have a problem with those that look down on someone who does not have a title or feel they are more superior because they do have one.
I can't help but hear the words of Jesus as I type this. Read Matthew 23:1 - 12. I also want to say that "Brother" & "Sister" I will never have a problem using because I do see my fellow believers as my family in Christ. Do I use Brother & Sister when I address them - no, I do not. In my old church in Connecticut I did so but since I've been delivered from COGIC, I no longer use it.
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Post by Beck on Jan 9, 2007 9:54:16 GMT -5
I believe that all of the "title" dropping was "added" by men, yes. However, I don't always have a problem with it. I have a problem when someone makes it a "requirement" for me to do so. I also have a problem with those that look down on someone who does not have a title or feel they are more superior because they do have one. I can't help but hear the words of Jesus as I type this. Read Matthew 23:1 - 12. I also want to say that "Brother" & "Sister" I will never have a problem using because I do see my fellow believers as my family in Christ. Do I use Brother & Sister when I address them - no, I do not. In my old church in Connecticut I did so but since I've been delivered from COGIC, I no longer use it. Amen to that.. I never call anyone brother or sister out of habit... I call them brother and sister because of their confession of faith. |
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Post by stillfocused on Jan 9, 2007 11:56:57 GMT -5
This has just happened to me recently....I asked that I have known for more than a year..not address me that manner..because it sudden went from the first name basis to Sis. _____. And to me it says that because we're attending the same church..(as were before)..but, over here it's suddenly Sister !! God is still moving in my life..Jesus is still Lord !!..so, what's up with the switch up ?! Did I just warrant your acceptance into the Body of Christ; because you placed limitations on me in your heart and mind ? What ??
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Post by stillfocused on Jan 9, 2007 12:16:48 GMT -5
ASWSOY...that's the problem that I was having with it..they were insisting that I accept that call me Sis________
please check you PM
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 9, 2007 15:24:17 GMT -5
ASWSOY...that's the problem that I was having with it..they were insisting that I accept that call me Sis________ please check you PM I read the PM, God is truly amazing. Sis, if your motives are pure, and I pray that theirs are also, what is the problem with them calling you that? Is it the fact that they are making it a "mandatory" thing that is bothering you? Please help me to understand. |
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Post by stillfocused on Jan 9, 2007 15:43:30 GMT -5
For over 1 1/2 year..they have addressed me by my first name..we attended the same fellowship..they left I stayed..it was still first name basis. Even in conversation and fellowship after they left. Thereh have been many phone conversations..prayer, and etc..it was always first name basis..new fellowship..new beginnings for us all and suddenly in 2007 it becomes Sis_________I hate it when people start acting silly when they think you don't know who are in Christ and that you somehow need their affirmation and approval to be accepted in the body of Christ. When the phone rings " I don't answer my phone Sis. ____' speaking.. And when I asked why.." Because Paul did it..it's in the Bible.." yet, there can be no Bible and Verse for it..and then the other was becaues "God said so !!" Then if was brought then offense comes in..it's not an offense to me..it just seems religious to me.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 9, 2007 16:06:29 GMT -5
Is it possible that you are making more out of this than necessary? I don't see the harm in anyone addressing you by Sis. "such and such", again unless their motives are not right. Whatever the past was, it was exactly that, the past. Is it possible that maybe they recognized the error of their ways and is just using "Sister" as a term of endearment and mutual respect? Is there a reason why it has to be so suspect?
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Post by stillfocused on Jan 9, 2007 22:13:46 GMT -5
I don't think I am being suspect..if we were at work..Would we call each other Bro Doe and Sis Rai..are you showing more honor and respect to a person by addressing them as such ? That shows me that you have no respect for who I really am..outside the church doors..because we don't live at church everyday all day long.
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Post by krazeeboi on Jan 10, 2007 2:41:11 GMT -5
This is interesting. While I believe the "Brother" and "Sister" to be the most biblical thing we can get to actually having titles in the church, it really is more of a term indicating relationship than an actual title.
Now, I know there are some people out there who really feel as though you aren't in a "real" church unless you belong to MY church. I don't know if that's the case here, but it is a bit unusual that all of a sudden I'm called "Sis. ________" when we've had this friendship all these years and addressed each other on a first-name basis. While we're at church, it's understandable, but outside of church? Hmmmm....
I really don't know what to make of it myself.
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 10, 2007 6:15:29 GMT -5
I say not look into it too much for if your motives are pure then you are fine but if there's are not then God will judge. I am learning to not look at things in such a way that I have to question everything. Not saying that stillfocused should not, the decision is honestly hers but honestly, does it really matter?
The thing is that we have ask God to judge our own hearts and to pray for those who seem to offend us, then pray and ask God why am I offended by this?
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Post by And Such Were Some Of You on Jan 10, 2007 6:22:27 GMT -5
I don't think I am being suspect..if we were at work..Would we call each other Bro Doe and Sis Rai..are you showing more honor and respect to a person by addressing them as such ? That shows me that you have no respect for who I really am..outside the church doors..because we don't live at church everyday all day long. I believe it is the conditions of the person and I also find the title dropping more in the African American churches that I've attended than in the others that I've attended. Again, I think we honestly just need to take a long hard look at ourselves and if our own hearts are right (as only the Holy Spirit can reveal) then move on. When I am at work, I don't want anyone calling me by any title because I may be around those that may not understand. I am trying to win the lost at my job, I am trying to allow my light to shine so that people can come to me and ask why am I so "different", etc. I don't want people saying "ummmm Hi Minister Cameron, or Hello Sister Monica". However, in a church setting it is different. Also, if someone out of the blue begins to call me "Sister Monica" who has not done so before, I will not automatically begin to think in the negative. Why do we always look at things, people and can always see negative - but cannot see things, people and make positive or no statements at all? Again, it is time for an inner check. Once you are found to be "okay according to the Word" then move on. Or if it is really offending you, go ask the person themselves and nip it in the bud. That is the best thing. To continue to question w/o taking the appropriate action only cause mountains to form. |
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Post by giantsdodie on Jan 10, 2007 9:03:19 GMT -5
Personally I think we make far too much of the title thing. We always seem to act like its the people WITH the title that are the problem when I have found in reality its the other people that have the problem. We have no issue whatsoever calling a police officer.. Office Johnson.. We have no problem saying President Bush.. We have no issue saying Doctor Williams...
But when we get to the church.. all of a sudden its people ego trippin over titles.. and we act like it just the black church that addresses people by titles when it is NOT just the black church. I know plenty of christians of other background ( white, hispanic and asians ) who address their leadership as Pastor this.. or Elder that....
Personally I think someone on this thread had the right idea. Pray and ask the LORD to reveal to you why you seem to have an issue with these things.. Maybe its not the other person. Maybe its you...
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