Bro. = Pastor? What is the meaning?

[tulipbee]

I ran across a baptist site and the pastor label himself as Bro. _______ ____

This is the first I have heard of the use of this word, "Bro." .

What is the meaning if this word and how is it used compared to other labels such as Pastor ________ or Rev ___________ or Dr. __________?

 

[drich0150]

Brother, is the biblical term used to describe members of the faith. When this brother takes the title of Bro over that of a more prestigious title He is humbling himself before those he teaches, and before God. Which again is another sound biblical doctrine.

 

[tulipbee]

Brother, is the biblical term used to describe members of the faith. When this brother takes the title of Bro over that of a more prestigious title He is humbling himself before those he teaches, and before God. Which again is another sound biblical doctrine.

How does one get ordained from the Southern Baptist? Or how does on get ordained in any Baptist church? Are there requirements to be a "Bro." Can anyone step in and open a Baptist church and call themselves Southern Baptist?

 

[CryptoLutheran]

It's simply a rather informal title used in some churches. That's how the term "father" began as a term of endearment for clergy in the ancient Church. Priests and bishops were called "father" as an affectionate term, it's not an "official" title so to speak, except in a few cases. The term "papa" was applied to a number of bishops in antiquity, but began to take on "stricter" qualities over the centuries. Today only two bishops are formally known as "Pope", the Bishop of Rome and the Bishop of Alexandria.

Terms like "Brother", "Father", "Reverend", "Pastor" etc are all just affectionate or reverent titles given to those who have been entrusted to shepherd and serve Christ's flock. The terms "presbyteros" (rendered as presbyter, elder or priest) and "episcopos" (as bishop or overseer) are more "official" in that they describe the actual and particular offices of those who shepherd.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[CryptoLutheran]

How does one get ordained from the Southern Baptist? Or how does on get ordained in any Baptist church? Are there requirements to be a "Bro." Can anyone step in and open a Baptist church and call themselves Southern Baptist?

Most Baptist denominations are organized as conventions. The Southern Baptist Convention is the largest one in the United States. By "convention", that means that they are not so much a top-down structure like in many or most denominations, but are rather a loose-knit fellowship of local, autonomous churches who are bound together by consensual agreement. One of the fundamental distinctives about the Baptist movement was the autonomy of the local church, rather than subscribing to a more rigorous organizational and confessional structure in most other denominations and churches.

Most Baptist conventions and churches, I'd imagine, require what most other denominations and churches require, that if one feels called into the ordained ministry they go through seminary instruction (or similar).

Again, "Brother" isn't some official fancy title, it's simply a term. One doesn't "become a Brother" in some official capacity.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[drich0150]

How does one get ordained from the Southern Baptist? Or how does on get ordained in any Baptist church? Are there requirements to be a "Bro." Can anyone step in and open a Baptist church and call themselves Southern Baptist?

we are all brothers, that is the point. The man who speaks is no more "Godly" than the man listening. This principle is based on the fact that we all have been given Gifts from the Holy Spirit. scripture tells us one gift is not to be held in a higher regard than another. The teacher who takes on this title is trying to apply this teaching to his life.

That said there is usually requirements that one must meet before he can take on the role of a minister or speaker. If that specific church is apart of a particular baptist convention/denomination then that brother must meet their requirements. even so he is free to represent Himself as a "minister" or brother.