Is it okay to call a church leader 'Reverend'?

Restoration The Church Church

TL;DR:

The Bible doesn’t command or forbid calling a minister “Reverend,” so using the title is a matter of personal conviction. What truly matters is that church leaders shepherd their flock faithfully and humbly, not the honor a title might bring.

what does the bible say?

The Bible does not specifically command or forbid calling a minister “Reverend,” making its use a matter of personal conviction (Romans 14:5; 14:22-23). What truly matters is that church leaders faithfully shepherd their flock, lead by example, and serve humbly, focusing on godly character and diligent ministry rather than earthly titles (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2-3; Acts 20:35). While some object to the term based on Jesus’ teaching against seeking honor through titles (Matthew 23:8-11) and the use of “reverend” in reference to God (Psalm 111:9), others use it to signify formal ordination and recognition within a church (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9). Honoring God through faithful service outweighs any title, and believers are free to address ministers in a way that aligns with their convictions and respect for biblical principles.

from the old testament

God appointed priests, Levites, and kings to lead His people (Exodus 28:1; Numbers 3:5-10; Deuteronomy 17:14-20). The people were to honor their leadership but always under God’s authority.
Leaders were called to serve God and the people faithfully, not for personal gain or glory (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Micah 6:8).
The Old Testament focuses on the role and character of leaders rather than formal titles. The reverence given was ultimately toward God, not the human officeholder (Leviticus 19:32; Numbers 27:18-23).

from the new testament

Ministers are to pay careful attention not to getting esteem from others but to remain a godly example to the body of Christ as they care for it (Acts 20:28).
Paul encouraged church leaders to follow his example that, "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak" (Acts 20:35). Ministers’ focus should be on working hard for the glory of God, not gaining pride from a title.
We are not biblically required to use “Reverend” when speaking to a minister. Those in places of leadership in the church should not be overly concerned with their scope of professional education, their level of authority, or their title, but rather in how well they are fulfilling their ministerial duties as outlined in 1 Peter 5:2-3.

implications for today

Some disagree with the use of Reverend as a title for a minister due to the words of Jesus found in Matthew 23:8-11: "But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant." Moreover, the King James Version of the Bible also refers to God as "reverend" in Psalm 111:9, saying, "… holy and reverend is his name” and as a result, some people believe "Reverend" is a title that should be used only toward God and not for others. However, the actual Hebrew word translated "reverend" in this verse is not a title. The idea is that God's name is highly respected or exalted. Modern translations use terms such as holy or awesome instead to communicate this concept.

Today, many denominations and church groups use the term Reverend for a person who has completed a formal ordination. If a person is qualified as a minister by his character as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 and completes ordination by a council of church leaders, he is given the title of Reverend to show he has been set apart for ministry as a church leader. Because the Bible does not specifically address the usage of Reverend as a title for a minister, it would seem that whether we choose to use it or not is a matter of personal conviction rather than biblical mandate.

understand

The Bible doesn’t require or forbid calling a minister “Reverend”; it’s a matter of personal conviction.
Church leaders should focus on faithfully shepherding, serving humbly, and leading by example.
Respect is due to leaders, but ultimate honor belongs to God, not any title.

reflect

How do your personal convictions shape the way you address your church leaders, and why?
What helps you focus on the godly character and service of church leaders rather than their title?
How can you honor God through how you relate to and respect your church leaders?

engage

How do we show respect for church leaders while avoiding placing too much importance on titles?
What practical ways can our church ensure leaders are honored for their service rather than their position or title?
How does the principle of ultimate honor belonging to God affect the way we recognize leadership in the church?

More Resources

Church

Is the office of pastor taught in the Bible?

The Bible teaches that pastors, synonymous with elders, are shepherds who guide and serve God’s people with integrity and humility. A pastor’s role is to model Christlike leadership, disciple others, and shepherd the church toward spiritual maturity.

Church

What authority does a pastor have over a church?

A pastor has authority to teach God’s Word, guide the church, and set a Christlike example, but his power is not absolute. He must lead humbly alongside other leaders, without domineering, and cannot control the hearts or salvation of members.

Church

Should Christians obey their pastors?

Christians are called to obey and honor godly pastors who lead according to God’s Word, recognizing their spiritual responsibility. However, obedience is never required when a leader’s teaching, behavior, or instruction contradicts God’s Word or is not in line with His character.

Church

What is a bishop? What is a biblical definition of bishop?

The biblical definition of a bishop referred to the leaders of a local church. These were male leaders who had integrity, spiritual maturity, and the ability to teach God's Word effectively.