JUST CALL ME SISTER SUSAN

At my college graduation ceremony, I watched enviously as the Doctoral Candidates marched across the stage. They wore awesome hats, sported flowing sashes around their necks and had earned the right to sign “Doctor” in front of along with several letters behind their names. Then my name was finally called to receive a Bachelors Degree. Sure my family was proud and I had worked hard to graduate “Suma Cum Laude,” but my hat was the old tassel and mortar board and the “flowing sash” was merely a golden rope. After consulting the school catalog, I decided a Doctorate Degree meant several more years of school, a lot of hard work and no guarantee of a better job offer. I could live without a “DR” in front of my name.


Life has taught me that titles should mean something, should not be conferred upon people lightly, and should be earned. At the age of 18, I took the title of “MRS,”  after 35 years it still means something and I HAVE earned it. It meant I was now part of a team and with a lot of hard work, love and faithfulness, this team would build a great life. The title has not diminished me in any way and I was not ashamed to replace my last name with that of my husband; it is a badge of honor that I have earned. Two years later I became a Mother.  You aren’t a Mom just because you give birth. It means you love, nurture, teach and help guide little people who someday become big people and hopefully “rise up and called you blessed.” After years of hard work, I have earned the title “MOM” and I have two amazing children who have conferred the honor upon me.

Lately, I have noticed an increasing trend in the church to add a title in front of everyone’s name without much thought to its meaning. Is every minister now a BISHOP? I read where a woman had given herself the title Bishop. REALLLY!!! Is that biblical? Does the title, Bishop, have no meaning anymore? 1 Timothy 3 lays out the qualifications of a bishop very clearly. The person desiring the office of Bishop must be blameless, the HUSBAND of one wife, and the head of his house, amongst other qualifications. Sorry, no mention of us ladies. Do we believe as, one minister said in an attempt to justify his own sin, “The Apostle Paul just got it wrong?” Are we so hungry for recognition and honor we are willing to ignore the biblical qualifications? Is it possible to be married to the Pastor without having to be called “Co-Pastor?” Can I speak in church without being called an Evangelist or Minister or may I sing a song of praise without the title of Psalmist?

I was raised in a church where everyone, from the pastor to the newest “babe in Christ,” was called “Brother” or “Sister,” It meant something. As a child, it meant I was part of a huge family that loved me, prayed for me and wanted me to succeed not because I was important but because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ. There really were no “Big I’s” or “Little You’s,” in this family we were all on an equal playing field; Brothers and Sisters. Today in our quest for recognition and honor we have reverted to a hierarchical form of position and have even invented titles to bestow on those we admire.

So please, do not diminish the other ladies in the church by calling me “First Lady.” They are not “Second or Third Ladies,” they are my “Sisters in Christ.” They stand shoulder to shoulder with me as we labor together for the Lord. They love me, pray for me, and encourage me; we are family and they are my sisters. 1 Corinthians 3:9 reminds us, “For we are laborers together with God: you are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” No title is necessary when we recognize that we belong to God and without God we can accomplish nothing of worth. But, if you still feel the need to place a title in front of my name or wish to confer a badge of honor upon me, please just call me Sister Susan.