WHY I DON’T USE TITLES LIKE “PASTOR” OR “APOSTLE” TO DESCRIBE MYSELF By Dr. Josimar Salum

 

WHY I DON’T USE TITLES LIKE “PASTOR” OR “APOSTLE” TO DESCRIBE MYSELF

By Dr. Josimar Salum

It is not out of rejection of the ministerial calling, but out of biblical conviction and reverence before God. Titles such as “pastor” or “apostle” were not established in the Scriptures as forms of titling, self-affirmation, or personal exaltation, but rather as gifts and assignments of service within the Body of Christ. That’s why I choose to be identified by the fruit of the ministry and the testimony of my life, not by titles that can easily be distorted or misinterpreted.

1. JESUS TAUGHT US NOT TO SEEK HONORARY TITLES

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.” (Matthew 23:8)

Jesus warned His disciples against the desire to occupy positions of prominence through religious titles. He reminded us that we are all brothers, and that greatness in the Kingdom of God is expressed in serving, not in being called by an exalted name.

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)

“You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; what is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.”

(Luke 16:15)

These words of Jesus are clear: titles and positions that exalt a person before others may be abominable to God.

2. NO MAN WAS EVER CALLED “PASTOR” IN THE BIBLE

Although the gift of shepherding is mentioned as one of the ministerial functions given by Christ (Ephesians 4:11), no man in the Scriptures is ever addressed by the title “Pastor” as a personal identifier.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

(1 Peter 5:4)

Only Jesus is called “the Good Shepherd” and “the Chief Shepherd.” Neither Paul, Peter, James, nor John were called “Pastor.”

• The function of shepherding appears in Scripture as a ministry of service, not as a social identity or hierarchical title.

• This reveals that the pastoral ministry is a gift, not a label for personal elevation.

3. TRUE AUTHORITY IS RECOGNIZED, NOT IMPOSED

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”

(Romans 1:1)

Paul first presents himself as a servant—doulos, a willing slave—before mentioning his apostleship. His authority was not in a title, but in faithfulness to the mission received from Christ, the fruit of his labor, and the testimony of the Spirit and the Church.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20)

4. I AVOID THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF GIFTS

Ministerial gifts—whether apostolic or pastoral—do not grant status, but bring responsibility.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

• These are not positions of prestige, but manifestations of the Holy Spirit for the edification of the Church.

• Choosing not to use titles is a conscious act to preserve the simplicity and purity of the Gospel, avoiding the idolatry of names and positions.

“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”(Galatians 6:3)

5. MY IDENTITY IS IN BEING A CHILD OF GOD

Above any function or ministerial gift, I am a child of God. That is my eternal identity. The ministerial roles I fulfill are merely temporal expressions of obedience to the divine vocation  

—never a definition of my value or position in the Kingdom.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1)

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

#ASONE