How do we address one another in the Church?

Ordained officials of Church of the East are traditionally addressed by their title, not as a form of civil elevation but as a form of designation, especially by devotees who accept the ordinand as his/her spiritual guide. By using the official form of address devotees set the tone of their relationship with the other person. Titular usage is by no means an official rule of conduct but a guideline how the Church navigates herself through the foreign waters of western society. However, for legal reasons, ordinand officials sign business and official documentation assisted by use of their respective titular designation. The Council forwards the following suggestion for titular usage for all new communities incorporated in the Anglophone West:

• Ashram devotees be addressed as Sister or Brother. In the written form the abbreviations Sr. or Br. be used before their names.

• Deacons be addressed as Sister or Brother. In written form or formal address the designation Deacon is used before the name.

•  Counsellors be addressed as Reverend Sister or Reverend Brother. In the written form the abbreviation Rev. be used before their names.

• Teachers be addressed as Reverend Teacher. In the written form the abbreviation Rev. be used before their names.

More about Forms of Address

What do these titles mean?

Brother or Sister

We are all brothers and sisters because we have but One set of parents--God the Father and Mother.

Deacon

The Greek word deacon and the Sanskrit word seva both means 'one who serves'.  Outside of the Church the word is typically used for table servers.  In the Church context the title is understood to designate one who serves the guests at God's Banquet.  We are merely servants.  God invites the guests, God provides the time, venue, menu, and everything else--we simply serve God's guests the best we can.

Equivalent Christian offices for Deacon are; deacon, priest, minister

Counsellor

A counsellor is someone who provides one with guidance--like a religious minister.  A councillor is someone who serves on a council--like a city council.

The main functions of Counsellors are to administer the Sacraments and officiate at ceremonies and spiritual workshops and events.

Equivalent Christian offices for Counsellor are; priest, minister, dominus, dean

Teacher

A Teacher in the Church is one who is licensed to, and charged to, guard the doctrines of the Church and assist all members and ministers to interpret the teaching. 

The main functions of Teachers are as theologians, administrators and senior counsellors assisting counsellors and communities in specific geographical regions.

The word teacher means the same as the words rabbi, swami, and guru.  Equivalent Christian offices for Teacher are; bishop, dean.

In Jesus our Lord

Jesus is called Teacher, Counsellor and Servant, and we take our task and title descriptions from Him.  However, only Jesus is called Saviour, Lord and god. 

We are aware that western churches, courts and official councils require that people address their officials as 'my lord', 'your worship' and similar titles such as 'venerable'.  We do not subscribe to this because we believe that only Enlightened One's such as Jesus should ever be venerable, lord, and worshipped.

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