Disappointed by terminology
by Twila Miller, Akron, Pa.
I appreciated Robert Hartzler's article ("Servant Leaders or Christian Executives?" January). I am concerned about the same issues, especially since returning from six years in India, where titles, labels and educational achievements are constantly flaunted by Mennonite church leaders who at least have the excuse of having grown up in the Hindu caste system.
When I returned to the United States in 2007, I was surprised and saddened to discover that terminology used for leaders in Mennonite church circles had changed drastically during my time away: I heard pastors of local congregations refer to themselves (rather proudly, it seemed) as “Pastor John” or “Pastor Bob,” and they eagerly encouraged us who sit in the benches—and our youth and even our grandchildren—to refer to them as “Pastor John or Pastor Bob. I was even more upset to see lines like this in the church bulletin: "Pastor John and his family are on vacation this week."
Whatever happened to the concept of the priesthood of all believers?
I confess that when I hear our church ministers habitually refer to themselves and other pastors as "Pastor Sue" or "Pastor John," I have to wonder if we are trying to imitate our Baptist or Lutheran friends down the street instead of admitting that we are Anabaptists. Perhaps we do not want to reveal, by the phrases we use, that we are Anabaptists.
Associated Issue: A discerning woman - January 2012
Associated Article: Servant leaders or Christian executives?
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