You Got My Back, Bro?

Growing up in a traditional church exposed to me to some customs. I will refrain from placing adjectives with the customs for I do not want to glorify nor demean them in any way. (although some were weird)

One such custom was the everyone had the title of Brother or Sister so-and-so. It was a title of respect and love signifying that you were a part of the family.

Somewhere along the line the use of these titles were deemed archaic and irrelevant. No one in the real world did this so the church did not really need to either. And while I sit here typing I wrestle with what the church lost when we threw out the titles of Brother and Sister.

I know that referring to Melvin as Brother Wiland gave me a sense of respect for the man. The same for my Sunday School teacher Maxine who was endearingly referred to as Sister Smith. They were not titles earned for any particular reason. They weren't merit badges or places of honor. Brother and Sister was merely a designation like Mr. and Mrs. but they held this weight to them - like it meant something.

And while I can sit here and tell that I do not mourn the loss of referring to each other in the church as Brother and Sister and that I do not think we should reinstitute the practice I do believe we've lost something more important. We have lost the constant reminder that those who share the seats with on Sunday deserve to be treated and loved like our natural brothers and sisters.

We often refer to the church as a family and yet so many times we let one of our own slip through some crack down into the caverns of sin and defeat. How can we let this continue? We must encourage each other to live lives worthy of the kingdom of God. That means we encourage each other to do good and warn each other when we are walking down a dangerous and sinful path. We can't control what our Brothers and Sisters ultimately choose to do but we are commanded to influence their decisions for Christ and for the kingdom. (Read 1 and 2 Thessalonians and count the number of times Paul commands them to love, encourage, and warn one another)

By not saying anything are you telling me you want me to fall?

How can I put this in personal terms? If I were running toward a cliff and didn't know it but you did, I would sure appreciate you speaking up and telling me about it. Now I may still run and jump after knowing, but thats my choice and therefore not your responsibility. But at least give me the option to choose. You never know, I may turn around and walk the other way (that's what we call repentance).