I typically dislike when my job is mentioned as a part of my introduction to others. I cannot count how many times have I been introduced to someone with the words, “This is Andy, the pastor at our church.”
It is not that I have an unfavorable view of my calling or the church I serve or am embarrassed by my profession, but I do know that when someone hears the words, “pastor” or “church” those words are potentially loaded with a tremendous amount of preconceived notions, both good and bad. As a result, some immediately lose interest in me, while others will then only want to discuss church in way too much detail.
I always worry that they make judgments on my political and social positions because I am a pastor at a Christian church in America. I understand that we sometimes need markers of identification, but I prefer it when I’m just introduced as “Andy” and then let people get to know me from there.
Because of this, it always strikes me as odd in the Bible when we are introduced to someone by their job or vocation. Of course, in some cases it helps to identify and differentiate between people who share the same name. Simon the Tanner is not the same person as Simon the Fisherman or even Simon the Leper. In a book full of people without last names, I guess this is beneficial. Yet, other times, I am not so sure it is helpful.
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