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

I've always wondered why if I'm supposed to die for my brother and sister in Christ why can't I address everyone by thier first name? Brother Smith and Sister Jones seems a bit formal for a supposed family.

I know what you mean, yogi.

Just call me Ron please... leave the formality out of the conversation. My first name is NOT "Brother".

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by yogi

I've always wondered why if I'm supposed to die for my brother and sister in Christ why can't I address everyone by thier first name? Brother Smith and Sister Jones seems a bit formal for a supposed family.

yogi, its actually just as simple as etiquette, even though its in regard to an old tradition. You should call people you meet by their most formal title until they give you permission to do otherwise. Didn't your Mama teach you that?

"Mr. Smith, this is Yogi; Yogi, Mr. Smith."
"Hello, Mr. Smith."
"Yogi, you may call me John."
"Thank you, John."

Or, "Yogi, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Smith."

What does it have to do with dying for someone anyway? Would you give your life for a doctor, only if he had agreed you didn't have to say "Dr. Smith?"

What about your parents? Do you call them by their first names? Or do you use respectful titles? (In our home, children use titles, never first names for their parents--its a sign of respect, and anything less is disrespectful.)

If you can't handle "Sister" or "Brother", then just use secular etiquette--and say "Mr.", "Mrs.", or "Ms."

[RandyWayne]

I always tried to avoid the "Brother" and "Sister" thing myself. I will occasionally use the words when talking to certain people, but overall, it feels like I am at a lodge -"And here is Brother Kramdon and Brother Norton!"

LoL...I've always wondered the same thing. In our church we use first names for most everyone. There are a few of the older folks that we put bro and sis in front of, but overall just our first names.

[Neck]

Originally Posted by yogi

I've always wondered why if I'm supposed to die for my brother and sister in Christ why can't I address everyone by thier first name? Brother Smith and Sister Jones seems a bit formal for a supposed family.

Just do it. I gave up on the Bro/Sis thing a long time ago...

[MissBrattified]

I do think it is somewhat outdated, and perhaps a losing trend with the younger generation. I don't think anyone calls me "Sister" Abi! BUT...as a sign of respect, we should use those titles towards those who prefer it, especially our elders, or someone who would be offended if we did not.

why can't we call our Moms and Dads Aunts and Uncles by their first names? After all they are family.....
I think it is a matter of respect. Respect that instead of dripping little by little out of our society seems to have found a major hole and is flowing right out the window!

[Whole Hearted]

WE use brother or sister here. We have as high as three generations in our church so the older ones are brother or sister last name and then the younger ones brother or sister first name.


But the ministry and their wives are always to be called brother or sister last name.

When I am in a business or what ever I always introduce myself as Mr. last name.


When my kids get married their spouses will not call me or my wife by our first name. My father and step mother are not in the church, but my sister in law calls the Mr or Mrs last name. It's a respect issue.

What does it have to do with dying for someone anyway? Would you give your life for a doctor, only if he had agreed you didn't have to say "Dr. Smith?"

What about your parents? Do you call them by their first names? Or do you use respectful titles? (In our home, children use titles, never first names for their parents--its a sign of respect, and anything less is disrespectful.)

If you can't handle "Sister" or "Brother", then just use secular etiquette--and say "Mr.", "Mrs.", or "Ms."

You miss my whole point. The body of Christ is supposed to be jointly fit together, as close as a biological family. Yet, when it comes to this archaic tradition of calling someone by their last name some are so detrmine to stick by this pointless tradition. You mention my Dr, well, we're not family. My parents? I dont address here as mother, I call her moms, which is a less formal version. I just want to see what happens in heaven when Jesus calls the UPCI G.S. Kenny, or when the old patriarch Abraham is called Abe. Now that will be funny! But I might be wrong, perhaps we'll walk the streets of gold for eternity saying, "Bless you Bro. Smith" or "Praise the Lamb Sister Jones"