On Using Titles

WE USE EPHESIANS 4 TITLES FOR TEACHERS IN OUR SCHOOL

There are all kinds of controversies surrounding the use of titles among believers. Yet, one of the most profound uses of them in the congregation and in the world in general is simply to designate an order of authority and set structure for government.

Every legal organization - from a family unit to a Forbes top 100 company make use of them within the structure of their organization. While many of us prefer not to see churches, ministries or ministry schools from an organizational perspective, it IS AN ORGANIZATION.... just as much as it is spiritual.

The problem with using titles, at least among the Body, is often triggered by theological, philosophical and corporate perspectives or even the need or desire of people to have a sense of commonality.

Why is this discussion necessary?

Well, in The School of the Scribe our leadership uses titles to not only identify its leadership structure, but to denote the spiritual role varying leaders play within the school. In addition, this is a school of ministry led by the Spirit and that lays on the Ephesians 4:11 foundations -- all of them. We need those distinctions to set the right order of study and leadership.

We respectfully ask students in this course to honor our decision to do so throughout this program, in our ministry interactions in public teaching settings and not find this request a place of offense. We do not abuse the use of these designations here.

In your own ministry, personal life and interactions, you always have the right to uphold your own personal beliefs. When we are in the environment of others, we honor their wishes as well -- and lead by their standard in great humility.

There is no force here.

Our position on the use of titles and our interactions outside of this school have absolutely nothing to do with how students may choose to direct, set up or establish their own ministries or live in their personal space. This expectation simply governs our relationship WITHIN THIS SCHOOL AND AT OUR EVENTS from this point forward.

Again, it's important to know that the Bible does not expressly speak against using titles or designations. Our school is not build on popular trends, fads or opinions of people or their varying denominational practices. We are led of the Lord within our own vision. In addition, this issue for us is nondebatable within the school setting.

We believe titles can help set proper teacher-student, mentor-mentee, employer-employee and other leadership relationships and boundaries in proper order - especially in formal classroom or ministry setting hosted by The School of the Scribe. They can block familiarity, and can ensure that certain professional boundaries are kept within relational interactions that promote healthy leadership. While we are all unequivocally equal as brothers and sisters in Christ, some situations require distinctions in authority, government, structure, functions and roles. While we are equal as sons, we are not always equal in authority, subject knowledge or positioning with organizational leadership. In the United States in particular, this is not unusual. As such, distinctions are made according to the pattern for leadership principles that we see in scriptures like Titus 1:5-9 and 1 Timothy 3:1-15. It is impossible for true authority to exist in any organized setting without proper leadership structure.

We believe titles identify function and purpose in organized communities, organizations or fellowships in our schools, ministries. Every person participating in an organized group needs clarity concerning the who, where, when, what and how within that organization. Those questions generally match "people and their functions." This is especially true inside this school. Even more significant, those titles in a setting like this clarify and demonstrate distinctive spiritual gifts within the context of how we teach within the school. Students not only experience the weight of what is presented to them; but they also get to experience those named giftings in action - especially in our in-person gatherings.

We do not believe Jesus spoke a blanketed message "against" titles. We firmly believe he spoke against people who used titles for self-promotion, selfish-intent and unfruitful gain. Otherwise, he would never have given us Ephesians 4:11 releases or inspired the apostles to place set leaders in the congregation as elders, bishops, etc. He spoke against those who were exalting themselves into some super-spiritual way, above other (Romans 12). The conversation about using the terms Rabbi or teacher was in context with a rebuke to a group of Pharisees and scribes who were abusing their power and elevating themselves before people (Matthew 23).

In systems of learning (in the Bible and society as a whole), there is the identification of the teacher and how to relate to teachers in learning environments. There is climate of honor that rests upon the teacher in biblical culture from Moses to Christ. This IS NOT the man-made machine that has given people such distaste for titles and honor, but one mutuality and earnest regard for those who go before you. Scribal culture is saturated in this. You will learn so much about the life of scribes and their interactions with their teachers and the teachers interactions with their students. It can be understood as a place of giving dignity, honor and respect in leadership overall. Some scriptures that speak of it are here: Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 5:17, 1 Thess 5:13-13, etc. (That honor, spoken of in scripture, is about respect and dignity, not extravagance of man-made notions of honor.)

It is important to understand that there is MUTUALITY here. Respect and honor is not one sided... and it is not title based. However, titles can be used by different groups to establish this... at there leisure. As such, you will see the use of Ephesians 4:11 titles in this course in the teachings. You will see students addressing teachers and leaders inside The City of Letters and in our other social groups by their titles. This is simply our practice based on guidelines we have received for our measure. We have an expectation of students in this program to interact with us accordingly.

For some, this may be another mountain to climb. For us, it's a preference in our ministry efforts because of the nature of scribal ministry.

It is important to understand that we do not have to agree on everything, but there is definitely a place in which we must humble ourselves and honor others in their learning culture, personal beliefs and convictions in environments or atmospheres in which we are guests. We encounter people from all walks of life and backgrounds. We call doctors doctor, professors professor, bishop bishops, pastor pastors, judges judge, etc. If we can do it in all of these places, we can honor the disignations in spiritual environments as well.