A 19-Year-Old Elder? What Religious Titles Do and Don’t Tell Us

I went down the rabbit hole of religious titles after encountering two 19-year-old Mormon elders.

After a brief introduction, I turned the discussion toward them and asked about the name badges identifying them as “Elders.”

A 19-year-old elder? I’ll bite.

They explained what the title means within their church. But the encounter got me thinking about how we respond to religious titles.

People can transfer their reverence for a sacred calling to the person holding the title. “Pastor,” “Bishop,” or “Apostle” may suggest wisdom, moral integrity, and divine authority before that individual has demonstrated those qualities.

Respecting an office does not require suspending discernment about the person holding it.

A sacred responsibility should deepen accountability, not remove it.