brethren

Matthew 20:20-28
20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping [him,] and desiring a certain thing of him.
21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.
22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but [it shall be given to them] for whom it is prepared of my Father.
24 And when the ten heard [it,] they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
25 But Jesus called them [unto him,] and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.
26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;
27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Luke 22:24-27
24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether [is] greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? [is] not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Matthew 23:5-12
5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, [even] Christ; and all ye are brethren.
9 And call no [man] your father upon the Earth: for one is your Father, which is in Heaven.
10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, [even] Christ.
11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

In the Bible, the words shepherd and pastor have the same connotation as each other, when referring to the role among God’s flock. To avoid being tedious, I will only provide two examples.

Jeremiah 3:15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Jeremiah 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

In the term “senior pastor” the word “senior” is an adjective. There is a somewhat broad meaning to this adjective generally, but the strong focus of meaning, in this term, denotes: of the highest rank or standing, i.e. chief or head.

When I consider the Biblically intended meaning of the term “Chief Shepherd,” in 1 Peter 5:4, and the modern intended meaning of the term “senior pastor,” I find that the terms are synonymous. I am not accusing anyone, simply because they have the title of “senior pastor,” of usurping Jesus’ role as having authority over pastors. I have decided, out of reverence to my Saviour, not to use that term in reference to any mere human.

Job 32:21-22 — Elihu
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; [in so doing] my maker would soon take me away.

I don’t think it would be necessary to make further comment about the title “reverend.”

Want to hear more?