A Conversation With Reverend Billy-Bob

Reverend Billy Bob: Hi. My name is Reverend Billy Bob.

Church Visitor: Hi. My name is Joe. Why do you refer to yourself as “reverend”?

Reverend Billy Bob: Well, that’s just a title we pastors like to apply to ourselves so we get some respect and so people know we’re in charge.

Church Visitor: Oh, I see. As far as I know, in the entire Bible, the only “being” referred to as reverend is God: “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.” [Psalm 111:9]

Reverend Billy Bob: Uh, well, uh, that does not mean people can’t call me Reverend Billy Bob? Does the Bible say people can’t call me Reverend Billy Bob?

Church Visitor: No, it does not specifically say that. However, the bible does warn us that we will get into BIG trouble with God if we start doing things that God does not specifically tell us to do, especially elevating men to the point of attaching labels and attributes to them that should only be applied to God Almighty.

Reverend Billy Bob: Well I do run this church, ya know.

Church Visitor: Maybe so, but Jesus Christ runs the true church by the working of his Holy Spirit in the hearts of true believers.  And a true leader in a church knows that he is responsible for leading by example…. and humility is one of the most important characteristics of a church leader as John The Baptist once pointed out in John 3:30 when he said of Christ “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Reverend Billy Bob: Right, but John The Baptist was not the pastor of a church.

Church Visitor: He was definitely not the leader of your kind of “pastor-centered” church, but he did all the things a true church leader should do.  He preached, he made disciples, he baptized and he led by his example.

Reverend Billy Bob: Well I do all that.

Church Visitor: Oh really? Is your example of leadership based on Luke 14:11, where Jesus said: “For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.”?  Or are you running the whole “show” every Sunday?  Based on a percentage of the time your congregation meets on Sundays, how much time does the average member spend using their gifts versus how much time do you spend getting all the attention up front?

Reverend Billy Bob: I don’t have to answer that… because I run this place.

Church Visitor: Only as long as God lets you.

SEE ALSO: Reverend Who?

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