How Should A Pastor Address Himself?
A few months ago I wrote a post here about a struggle I had been having with pastors wearing suits: whether they should wear one or not when they preach. It seems that it struck quite a nerve with people as it’s become the most commented post on the blog.
Allow me to confess another struggle I’ve been having: how to address myself.
More specifically, how does how I refer to myself impact how other people see me and the position I hold? Does it make you think less of a pastor when he just refers to himself by his first name? Does it make you respect him more when he refers to himself as Pastor so-and-so?
These are some questions I’ve been struggling with. You’d think that three and a half years into pastoral ministry I would have figured this one out by now, but I haven’t. And so I come to you.
I know when I go to the hospital, I like it when the Dr. introduces him/herself as Dr. so-and-so because it helps me to see them as being authoritative. I want to know who will best be able to give me the answers I need. When I’m on a university campus and a professor introduces himself as Dr., it helps me to see that professor as someone that knows what they’re talking about.
Let me show you some of the more common options and then comment a little more.
I could introduce myself as Pastor Ortiz. This to me sounds extremely formal and I don’t think I could ever pull this off with a straight face. I know that in most cultures, this is the de-facto way that people address the pastor. But it just sounds kind of old to me.
I could also call myself Pastor Rodlie. This sounds better to me. I think that could work. It feels like a decent middle ground.
Of course there’s also just Rodlie. It’s my name. And I actually use this quite a bit. When I meet someone at church for the first time I usually say, “Hi, my name’s Rodlie. I’m the pastor here.” I feel like just using my name without the title perhaps helps to engender more of a connection between us, like we’re friends. And especially if you do become close friends with some of your church members it just seems a little odd (to me) for the person to address you as Pr. Rodlie.
So if you can give me some perspective I’d really appreciate it.
So what do you think? How do you think a pastor should address himself? Does it make a difference to you? Does the title used influence your perception of him/her?
[Image by Kid Continuity]
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Our society is very informal now. Growing up, everyone was Mister, Misses, Sir, and Ma'am. Now-a-days I have some people beg me to simply call them by their first name. It's a little awkward for me. But if you were to introduce yourself as "Pastor Rodlie" that would be a relief for someone like me who is used to some formality. But, someone else could easily take that and refer to you as just "Rodlie."
I like what you already do… "My name is Rodlie. I'm the pastor here." Using your first name always put people at ease and they don't feel like they have to come up with a title to match yours. Pastor Ortiz does sound a bit stuffy.
Rodlie, I can empathize with you. As a young pastor (and classmate!) this is an area that I struggle with, too. Now that I have been in my pastoral district for two years I find this doesn't get easier: a year ago I was ordained so now I am "Elder Campbell" and also about the time I came here finished my doctorate so I am "Doctor Campbell." Most of my older church members call me "Pastor Campbell," but my young adults call me "Pastor Michael." Some of course call me just "Michael" and others simply "Pastor." I've just always been relaxed about it and gone with whatever most people are comfortable with (although personally, like you, I've generally stuck with the "Pastor Michael" modus operandi). Among my young people at our church school the name that the kids like the best is "Pastor Soup" (a spoof off my last name) so the kids know that I am someone fun to be around and personable. Michael
This is an interesting dilemma. I've always gone with the first name. Of course there is always a risk that you loose something (respect, clarity of position, etc.) but for me relationship trumps everything and loosing the title (I think) is a step in the right direction. There also seems to be a hint of confusion in the church where the pastor is seen in a "priestly" light (different expectations for pastor's life, the pastor's prayer counts for more than others, and so forth). Dropping the title for me has been a subtle priesthood of all believers message. Outside of the church setting this is a no brainer. Just the position can become a huge barrier so I usually hope to enter into a conversation without all the pastor baggage.
I lean on the side to which David commented and Rodlie you adhered to, I just tell people my name and that i'm the pastor after that I let them decide what to call me…the church i'm in now is a little bigger than previous churches i've had and we do get several vistors coming and most of the time they want to know who the pastor is…but again i'm not too worried to an extent…as long as there is respect not because i'm a pastor but just as a person. it's interesting to note that in 1 Cor. 9 Paul is actually defending himself to the church that he is an apostle, i wonder did he like to be called "apostle paul" or just paul
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one more note it's interesting to me that most people go see a Doctor at a hospital or just a regular visit and for the most part no one questions what he/she should be called in that sphere…Doctor…so why do we question what to call a pastor in his/her sphere? could it be perhaps because the job of a doctor is more highly regarded than that of a pastor??
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"I am Rodlie Ortiz, the pastor of…." Most people, out of respect, will call you either Pastor Rodlie or Pastor Ortiz, whichever they are more comfortable with in referring to you–it then becomes about them, not you. Either way, you are professional and personal.
I tell people my mom called me Chris and that seemed to be good enough for her. However, at times, it does help to tell people the full name with the title in front. I just prefer not to do it within the faith community because it's suppose to be more like family.
Now you are definitely in a difficult position, Michael, having the doctorate now. I can only imagine the issues I'd be having. But how have you been addressing yourself? For example, when you call someone, do you say, "this is Pastor Michael, or this is Michael Campbell?" How do you do it?
Yeah, I think I tend to fall into this same position. I don't want a title to be a stumbling block for anyone. But I do think, like you mentioned, that inevitably there does tend to be a lessening of respect. I think it's interesting to note that Steven Furtick, 27ish pastor of a growing mega church in the carolinas, really sticks to the title of Pastor Steven. He thinks that it's about relearning honor and respect. So he's a young guy, with a very outreach-missional church, and he's sticking hard to the title on purpose. So not quite sure.
Yeah, I think you may be right. And that's part of what I was addressing there. In hospitals we call them doctors, universities we address by title…so why not in a church? It helps them to know who the pastor is.
how do you address yourself to people when calling them, though? Do you just say, "hey this is Chris" or what?
what about when your pastor calls you, what would you expect to hear: "this is pastor _____, or this is ______. ?
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