Just Names

During our recent church gathering, we were concluding our series of interpretive discussions on Romans. Naturally, that discussion ended with the last chapter, Romans 16, which includes a list of not-so-easy-to-pronounce names. Reading through the names, we reflected on people that had touched our lives, names that we would mention as important to our own story.

At one point during the discussion, one group member highlighted an important tangent. Reflecting on Romans 16, he pointed out that although this list of names included numerous missionary workers and church leaders, titles were obviously missing. Paul simply listed their names. He didn't feel the need to say, pastor so & so or elder so & so. Rather he just mentioned names.

A few days earlier, I was debriefing one of our interns, and towards the end of the conversation, I asked, "What advice would you have for me?" She explained how important it was that I acted not only as a mentor/supervisor but was accessible as a friend. I expressed my thanks for the affirmation; however, I also further confessed that at times I doubt being so transparent. After all, prophets in their hometown are not honored. Individuals have such a tendency to hang on every word of teachers who are distant and stay remote from their experience and at times overlook those who come close.... as Jesus came near. Vulnerability can be scary because for better or worse, leaders often deeply desire to be respected even as they battle secret insecurities.

A few years ago, I was interviewing a leader of a house church network in California, and I asked him what was most challenging. He answered, "Pastors just need to learn how to be normal again." We've created systems of separation because in our religious structures we often need protection from various waves of political backlash. However, Jesus calls to us to avoid "lording it over one another" but rather to wash feet even as our Lord and Master did.

In the end, we are all just names. When we stand before our Maker, we're all standing on a level playing field.