Should those assigned tasks in the church have titles?

Question:

Thanks for the answer: Can a church organize tasks without elders? So the risk in this type of set up is that members need not shun their individual responsibilities because tasks have been assigned to one brother to ensure the tasks are done.  I can see the wisdom in organizing; however, there are some dangers (especially with weak or less mature members).  I guess I was mainly concerned that the assigned members (or volunteers) were not given titles or the task used inappropriately.  For example,  Brother J is the leader of the  "visitor committee" or the "visitor office" with Brother H assisting.  (This is our current issue).  I just think we have to be careful with terms and titles. I don't have a problem with a designated contact person, however. You see my point?  I would appreciate your thoughts.

Answer:

You are quite correct that Christians should never get the "I gave at the office" mentality. It is good that someone is asked to make sure that visitors are not overlooked, but it doesn't mean that I, as a member of the church, can sit back and let someone else handle all the visitors. We each should do what we can. Some are going to be very outgoing and have an easy time making visitors feel welcomed and seeing that their questions are answers. Some are going to be a bit shyer, but they may be more of a studious nature and will be able to answer a deep question from a visitor more readily. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:1-8; see also I Corinthians 12). Hopefully, consideration of individual talent is taken when asking people to accept different duties.

Titles that designate duties is not necessarily wrong in and of themselves. However, they can become wrong when they place one brother over another. "But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Matthew 23:5-12). For this reason, it is best to avoid titles because we humans have a strong tendency to use titles to elevate one person over another.

Yet to say that brother J is in charge of the welcoming visitors is merely stating what he was asked to do on behalf of the church. It is no different than people stating that I am the preacher here at La Vista. It doesn't put me above the other brethren, it merely describes my duties and explains why I get up to deliver messages frequently.

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