Merry Christmas, Doctor!
Titles and other stuff
A few years back I was approached to consider adding a PhD after my name. I was told that a doctorate would add significantly to my “access” and “life’s work”… and that it could be easily obtainable, based on my years of study, writing, and poetic passion. It would be based on my unpublished works, which in turn would serve as my life thesis. Since it was merit of “time served”, it could be bestowed in a manner 12 months, not years… and let’s not forget the cost of just under $5K. However, it still sounded like a purchased degree to me. But all this got me thinking… groaning, so I asked the Lord for insight into what was troubling to Him about this in me.
In my study of church history, trends, fads and etc. over the last 30 years, a pattern always emerges prior to significant shifts in the Kingdom. Before I was born, there was a “title grab” inside the church, which centered on the word “evangelist”. I always thought that was odd, since it would seem more astute and appealing to be called one of the higher gift callings… like apostle or prophet. But back in the time when true evangelists were established, they were the ones who proceeded in the power gifts and manifestations of the Spirit. It was the “title” that many chose to go with in the early days of their ministry. It was the title signified with power! In that day, you could not minister inside a church door without that title.
In the 1960’s, a time when the word “apostle” and “prophet” were slowly gaining respectability, the word “evangelist” was not as important as it once was. Evangelists were now a dime a dozen… everyone was one… or had been one. So… for a season, the title lost its glitter. The search was now on for the new shifting sound… with a new twist.
Ministry is addictive in many ways. “Getting respect” is probably the most damning. Titles meet that addiction. It is becoming the “Kingdom narcotic” of choice. It manifests recently in history through the word “prophet”. And when that wasn’t enough, men added the word “major” in front of it. I once sent out a brochure announcing a 3-day seminar entitled “The Ministry Of The Minor Prophet in the Church Today”… and no one responded. Who wants to deal with anything minor?
In the mid to late 90’s the word “pastor” was not important sounding enough, seeming to loose its luster. So new words emerged to fuel and fill our loss… and the word “bishop” was adopted to fill this “lonesome void”. And what a mad rush it has been! In the last several years we are “full to our gills in bishops”. But whatever the title chosen, a title… minus the anointing is still an empty wineskin… a flagon of sand sent to meet the thirst of a generation.
The ministries are hungry again. In recent years it has manifested as/in the word “doctor”. A title only soothes for a season. I need a real doctor to appear at my gatherings and my private devotions, one who can unwrap my damaged goods.
As the Lamb labors to unwrap me/us this Christmas, he longs to embrace the “shitty side” of our lives… not for the sake of exposure alone… but to wash, cleanse and heal. He knows all about broken and bloody, dirty and bruised and lonely and rejected. He is no stranger to shame and can handle any abuse we have suffered as little ones. He does more than teach us coping skills… he heals. It is my grateful experience, my personal experience that this doctor is trustworthy. Be of good courage and cheer, and pursue this… for it bears the fruit of liberty, openness you have never known before as a freedman, slave no longer to the past!
Many ministries, as I have done, will again choose to cover the familiar blemishes. This misadvised reaction is to re-wrap ourselves “with paper”. One attempts to cover from view by mystery, the other to bury under knowledge. There is nothing inherently wrong with an earned degree. But keep your eye on any who demand this respect. Many ministries cannot be holders of title without the titles holding them. The disease is evident, except to those that suffer its deformity. So you understand, I am a big fan of continuing education… teachable, a searcher/seeker of the mysteries of God. I am not a fan of ever learning and never coming to the Truth.
Those of you who have known me understand that when I greet friends, such as yourself, I address you as “doctor”… yet you may have not earned an MD or a PhD. Doctor is a lovely word that I have used often over the last 38 years. It is a term of endearment… and a peek into my heart! It is a small way that I recognize the healer within you.
Respect can neither be demanded, coerced nor forced. Likewise it cannot be hiphoppily hustled into the human heart by some smooth kingdom gangsta’.
Respect is recognized, simply because of who indwells you.
Merry Christmas, to all my beloved Doctors!
Lovedmadlydeeplymuchly…jt
