Why do we address each other by last names in the Church - Page 5

commonsense · #41 01-22-2008, 11:59 PM

Personally, I'm not fond of the Bro & Sis usage ; whenever someone said Sis-----I thought they were talking to my mother-in-law.

I prefer to be addressed by my name. I understand having respect for the pastor or elders.
In my generation we did use Aunt Kathy or Uncle Roy etc but my children do not always use aunt or uncle regarding my sister or brother.

Steve Epley · #42 01-23-2008, 12:06 AM

I have always like the Brother and Sister greeting myself.

OneAccord · #43 01-23-2008, 12:18 AM

Well, since we are just giving our opinions on the matter, I have always been taught to address one another as Brother So-and-so or Sister Such and such. First or last names are optional, but by addressing one another as "Brother" or "Sister" seems to put them on a higher plane then, say, Joe the Mechanic or Otis, the wino. And, its biblical, IMO, to address one another as Brother or Sister. Look through the epsitles and see how many times you see Brother Saul, or Timothy our brother, or Quartus a brother or Tychicus, a beloved brother. Granted, its not a heaven or hell issue, but it is a sign of Christian brotherhood (or sisterhood). I refer to ALL ministers as brother, even those not of the Apostolic faith. I don't care for the Dr. Smith thing in reference to ministers. Pastor, Bishop is fine with me... but I prefer to just refer to them as Brother. Or Sister.

Oh and people are referred to as Brother and Sister the moment they repent of their sins.

Steve Epley · #44 01-23-2008, 12:23 AM

Did you hear about the guy who wanted to go to a special church meeting and told his boss "My father died and family is gathering to hear his will read."

#45 01-23-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneAccord

Well, since we are just giving our opinions on the matter, I have always been taught to address one another as Brother So-and-so or Sister Such and such. First or last names are optional, but by addressing one another as "Brother" or "Sister" seems to put them on a higher plane then, say, Joe the Mechanic or Otis, the wino. And, its biblical, IMO, to address one another as Brother or Sister. Look through the epsitles and see how many times you see Brother Saul, or Timothy our brother, or Quartus a brother or Tychicus, a beloved brother. Granted, its not a heaven or hell issue, but it is a sign of Christian brotherhood (or sisterhood). I refer to ALL ministers as brother, even those not of the Apostolic faith. I don't care for the Dr. Smith thing in reference to ministers. Pastor, Bishop is fine with me... but I prefer to just refer to them as Brother. Or Sister.

Oh and people are referred to as Brother and Sister the moment they repent of their sins.

So having a doctoral degree isn't respectful? Man they have to attend and complete about 8-10 years of college for that honor!

OneAccord · #46 01-23-2008, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walkbyfaith7

So having a doctoral degree isn't respectful? Man they have to attend and complete about 8-10 years of college for that honor!

Sure it is respectful. As respectful as Brother or Sister is. I didn't say I didn't call them Doctor. I just said I don't care for it. But, no, I prefer to esteem all brethren and sisters alike (no partiality), and by referring to brothers as Brother and sisters as Sister, I show the respect without being partial.

pelathais · #47 01-23-2008, 07:27 AM

What I find uncomfortable is the way that some folks will suddenly insist that these more formal means of address be religiously adhered to. You really have to keep your finger on the pulse of a local congregation at times.

People will "lighten up" sometimes and things might even get to be friendly, but then some evangelist comes along and "whips everyone into shape" and it's right back to the "Brother Last Name" and "Sister Last Name" routine.

If you don't play along then you end up giving others the "right" to pontificate endlessly.

Whole Hearted · #48 01-23-2008, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I guess I never met Homer...or if I did, I was too young to remember.

I do remember Bro. Looper scaring the stuffin' out of me with some Halloween mask he had on hand. LOL!!!!! It was a bald mask, with red scars all over it. I just remember screaming and screaming and screaming and my mother fussing and fussing and fussing at him over that!!!!! (I was 4)

Sister Looper let my sister stay with them one summer...I think Becky thought it would be some kind of vacation, and boy was she wrong about that. Haha! She learned how to get up early and work for her room and board.

Okay, *edit*...according to my mother, I played with Homer when I was a little girl! I guess I just don't remember him.

Does Guy pastor the church in Stuttgart?

Yes mam Guy is now pastoring Stuttgart,

Whole Hearted · #49 01-23-2008, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commonsense

Personally, I'm not fond of the Bro & Sis usage ; whenever someone said Sis-----I thought they were talking to my mother-in-law.

I prefer to be addressed by my name. I understand having respect for the pastor or elders.
In my generation we did use Aunt Kathy or Uncle Roy etc but my children do not always use aunt or uncle regarding my sister or brother.

I wouldn't think of not using aunt or uncle for an aunt or uncle and my kid had better use the terms, it is just respect.

Just as we use yes mam or no mam or yes sir or no sir it is respect. I am 49 years old I I would think of saying yes or no to an older person. THAT IS JUST BAD MANNERS.

freeatlast · #50 01-23-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whole Hearted

I wouldn't think of not using aunt or uncle for an aunt or uncle and my kid had better use the terms, it is just respect.

Just as we use yes mam or no mam or yes sir or no sir it is respect. I am 49 years old I I would think of saying yes or no to an older person. THAT IS JUST BAD MANNERS.

Sir' somewhere along the line we have confused respect with Tradition.

If I ever met you whether or not I addressed you as Brother Lastname or called you by your first name would have NO bearing on my level of respect for you.

I am several years your senior and that does not out of respect require you to address me me as Brother ........

It is a tradition that we have carried far past it's "use by" time expired date.

and lastly it's a "personal conviction" thing.

If we ever meet I'll honor your conviction and call you Brother Elder, but please don't look down on your brotheers or sisters who don't hold to your line of what you feel defines what respect is.

Please don't think we are any less Christina than you or that we don't respect our Elders as much as you do.