Next year will be my 40th year in ministry. I started out teaching a gangly group of 7th & 8th grade boys, about 1215 of them. It did much to prepare me for future youth ministry and even pastoring someday.

Over the last almost forty years I have made lots of memories. These memories have involved senior adults, younger adults, families and of course, children. Some of my best memories come from the kids, I think. One such occasion comes from a time when I was pastoring up at Welch.

As pastor, I have had a lot of names or titles. Brother Tim is probably the most popular. But some of the names have been Preacher, Pastor and my least favorite, Reverend. I like it when people call me Pastor, though. It makes me feel like they are allowing you into a part of their lives they keep compartmentalized.

With kids, you have complete honesty. As a matter of fact, you never know what they are going say or call you. Kids have a tendency of telling it like it is, no sugar coating it… at all!

One morning before Vacation Bible School I am walking down the hall. I see one of the moms who is working in the VBS coming toward me. She is walking toward me with her four year old son. He is just meandering down the hall in front of his mom, happy-go-lucky, not a care in the world. I say a quick ‘hi’ to the boy and his mom, and this kid looks up, smiles and out of nowhere comes… “Well hello, Preacher Pork Chop!”

His mom’s eyes get about the size of tennis balls, her mouth momentarily hits the floor and then she asks, “What did you call him?” To which he repeats the name and he just keeps on walking, smiling ear to ear at his renaming of the preacher. Absolutely horrified, his mom apologizes and has no idea where the name came from. Me? I am laughing so hard I cannot even talk. I have been called lots of names, some not so nice, but never Preacher Pork Chop. As a matter of fact, never been called that name since.

Luckily, the name did not catch on and by the end of Bible School every kid was NOT calling me Preacher Pork Chop. As a matter of fact only about a handful of people found out about the new name. My integrity remained somewhat intact.

Recalling this memory made me think about names. I have written about my children’s names, my grandchildren and my name. Not sure what the Greek or Hebrew background of the name Preacher Pork Chop could be or if it really matters. In Hebrew I’m guessing it definitely would not be kosher. But it did make me wonder about what is in a name?

Names define people, places, things or occasions. Names hold memories for some individuals. Names can give us direction or instruction. Names play an important role in our lives. Add a nickname and you get a humorous flare in it all.

When our names are called, we look, give our attention, answer or harken to the source. The tone the name is called in sometimes dictates how we respond. A full name usually means we are in trouble. A formal name usually means respect. A nickname usually means familiarity, playfulness and someone close.

Yet, one day there will be a name that is called that will change everything. That is the name, …”Jesus.” The Bible tells us that at the name of Jesus, “Every knee will bow, of those in Heaven, of those on Earth and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” This means that when the name of Jesus is called Heaven, Earth and Hell will confess Jesus is Lord! Regardless of whether you believe in Him as God’s son or not, you will call Him Lord.

What’s in a name? Depends on the name. Call me Dad and you know I have kids. Call me Preacher and you know I work at a church. Call me Preacher Pork Chop and we will get a good laugh!

But when the name Jesus is called it will be a completely different story. Will you be ready? It will not be a laughing matter. What do you call Jesus now?

Your Preacher Pork Chop, Bro. Tim