Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Call me Andy

3 John 1:12
Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

The movie, The American President, is a 1995 romantic comedy-drama. In summary, President Andrew Shepherd, played by Michael Douglas, is a widower who pursues a relationship with environmental lobbyist Sydney Ellen Wade, played by Annette Bening, – who has just moved to Washington, D.C. – while at the same time attempting to win the passage of a crime control bill.

There is a scene in the movie that stays with me. A critical meeting wraps up and the President leaves for the residence after saying goodnight to some of his staff. As he walks along the colonnade he is accompanied by the Chief of Staff, A.J. MacInerney, played by Martin Sheen. They are discussing various matters and their conversation ends this way.

A.J.: Good night, Mr President.

SHEPHERD: A.J., when we’re out of the office and we’re alone, you can call me Andy.

A.J.: I beg your pardon?

SHEPHERD: I mean you were the best man at my wedding, for crying out loud. Call me Andy.

A.J.: (laughing off the suggestion) Whatever you say, Mr President.

I have always been intrigued by Shepherd’s desire for a moment when the barriers could be broken down and he and his friend just talk to each other as friends. The intrigue for me exists because I know so many people who are so desperate for titles that they refer to themselves in the third person, sometimes as if they are not even present.

A popular place for this these days is the church. No one seems comfortable any longer with just their names. I grew up in Guyana, and, as a former British colony, we are a very formal society, but still, the church has gone well beyond what is likely in Her Majesty’s courts. These days even spouses and children are required to call their parents at home by their titles instead of mommy, daddy, or uncle Joe.

One day I visited a friend of mine who has the title of Bishop before his name. But, being my friend, I called out for Anthony as I sat in his living room. His wife was livid and admonished me for not calling him Bishop. I have not gone back to their house.

Jesus was sometimes called Rabbi because many saw Him as such from the activities He carried out in the synagogue, but when the Greeks came to see Him they asked for Him by name. “Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” John 12:20,21.

Peter referred affectionately to Paul but gave him no title, “as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,” 2 Peter 3:15. And Paul in reference to Peter was not even affectionate, “Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed” Galatians 2:11.

We have trouble because we often confuse the role with the title. My role at Living Stones is pastor, and I wish that I could convince our members that my name is Alex and my role is pastor. They keep calling me pastor instead of Alex.

The apostle Paul got it right as he refers to a man whom we hardly reference in our preaching but a man who was dependable, called by his name and described by his role. “But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you.” Ephesians 6:21

Here is another little-remembered minister, described by his role and called by his name, “Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need.” Philippians 2:25.

Let’s close with these from Colossians 4:7-15, “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you … Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas … and Jesus who is called Justus. Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you … Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.”

Here there are no titles for Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Barnabas, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, and Nymphas. Just like Demetrius in our key verse, their functions, roles, and character all described, and in some cases, commanded them, but no titles.

I am not suggesting that we go to everyone’s door and rip down their titles, especially the properly earned ones, but there is a need for us to focus on our character, conduct, gifts, and ministries and less on titles.

I guess that this is easy for me to say because I have no titles. And, at the rate that I am going, I’ll end up without. But whatever my achievements here is my goal, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14. Let’s all try it.

Whenever you see me, just call me Alex.

Think on these things:

1. Have titles before, or after, your name ever been one of your ambitions?
2. If you have a title, what did its achievement change for you apart from how you are called or referenced?
3. How important are titles to your church and denomination with respect to ministers?

Prayer focus:

Let us pray today that our ministers would focus on ministry to people and on their gifts and not on titles and accolades.

In His Grace
Pastor Alex