Don't Call me REVEREND, LOL!

 

WoW! The last couple of days have been packed with celebration, joy, time with wonderful friends, learning, and time of reflection. Oh yeah, AND EXHAUSTION. Preaching Sunday, Ordination activities Sunday afternoon, Ordination service Sunday evening, Annual Meetings Monday, and Discipleship group Monday evening. When I got home last night I was tired and it was a little hard getting up THIS MORNING. 

The ordination never really hit me until I was officially identified as "REVEREND." Yikes! Can I tell you something? I am not fond of the term REVEREND. I know it is done with all due respect and honor. It is not the TITLE that bothers me as much as the meaning of the word. REVEREND means "some one who is revered." I feel extremely awkward claiming that definition for myself. Realize no one knows me like I do. I am not that great and I feel VERY UNWORTHY to be REVERED. 

I will attempt to accept any title with grace and humility. Pastor is much more acceptable to me. But, I was talking to some men last night in my disciple group and was reminded of something. I never remember hearing my Grandpa Lewis (a Church of God Pastor) addressed as Reverend. I am sure he was and I am sure he was also called PASTOR. But the "TITLE" I remember the most is BROTHER LEWIS! AND it I were to be called anything I would prefer THAT TITLE. 

Titles are dangerous. Elevating someone above someone else is dangerous. I just don't want to walk down that road. Yes, I have a special calling and I "revere" the position of pastor. But we are all sinners saved by the grace of God and we are ALL adopted into the FAMILY OF GOD through that grace. Please CALL ME PASTOR or BROTHER STEVE or BROTHER RHOADES or STEVE. 

Isaiah 22  emphasized this for me:

"'Yes, I will drive you out of office,' says the Lord. 'I will pull you down from your high position. And then I will call my servant Eliakim son of Hilkiah to replace you. I will dress him in your royal roves and will give him your title and your authority. And he will be a father to the people of Jerusalem and Judah.' 

He will bring honor to his family name, for I will drive him firmly in place like a nail in the wall.

--- But the Lord of Heaven's Armies also says: 'The time will come when I will pull out the nail that seemed so firm. It will come out and fall to the ground. Everything it supports will fall with it. I, the Lord, have spoken.'" (Isaiah 22:19-21,23,25, NLT)

Shebnah was brought down in his arrogance and pride. Hilkiah replaced him and was a well respected leader. But, even HILKIAH was eventually replaced. His leadership was great but not permanent. 

As I have been pastor at South Memorial for about 6 months, I followed a leader, who followed a leader, who followed a leader. None of them were permanent. God calls leaders to serve for a specific period in the life of nations and also with churches. I am honored to be called to serve now, but my goal is not just to serve but to prepare others to serve. I am called to send out others into the fields to be leaders and then they will send out future leaders. I am reminded of a CMA belief "Leave it better than you found it!" That is my goal and the long line of leaders will continue long after me and I love it. 

Thank you Father for choosing me for such a time as this. I am honored!

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