How to address a member of the clergy addressed as "the Reverend"



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HONOR & RESPECT

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   1. Formula For
       How to Address     
   2. Q&A / Blog On
       Use of Rank by
       Retired Military    
 

   3. Q&A / Blog on
       How to Address
       Retired Military   
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How to Address a "Reverend" in the United States

The Reverend is not an office. Rather, it is a courtesy title used when addressing a member of the clergy such as an pastor or priest Confirm the office held then by the individual then check the specific listing for their office to confirm the correct form of address.

     The Reverend is the basic courtesy title for anyone who presents himself or herself as a member of the clergy. It is used before a (full name) or (initial[s]) + (surname). Examples of correct forms include:
    •    The Reverend Mark M. Phillips
    •    The Reverend C. M. Phillips

    The Reverend describes an individual: The person is a reverend person. It is not used without a name:
    Correct:    The Reverend Mark M. Phillips
    Incorrect:    The Reverend Pastor of Grace Church
    Correct:    The Pastor of Grace Church

    While Reverend is sometimes used as an honorific in the manner of Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr., such use is not traditional. In traditional use, Reverend is never used alone, never with only a first name or only a surname, and never with another honorific (such as Dr.), or with hierarchical title (such as Bishop)
     However, since personal preference is always taken into account, follow the example of your introducer or the preference of the bearer.

The "Reverend" Elsewhere in the World
Internationally, use of the Reverend is the same as outlined above with the following exception: The Reverend and other courtesy titles are combined with honorifics such as professor or Dr. or with personal titles such as sir or lord to create compound honorifics.
    •    The Reverend Dr. Zachary Tilden


FYI, here is what's come in to the Blog that relates to this office/rank.
   For recent questions sent in, check out Robert Hickey's Blog.

   For specific offices/ranks, check out Robert Hickey's On-Line Guide.


How to Address a Two Pastors?
    What is the proper way to address a letter to my pastor and his wife is also a pastor? Thank you in advance.

 
         -- Susan Wise

Dear Ms. Wise:
     I cover how to address two pastors in Chapter Nine: Joint Forms of Address.
    
You didn't mention if they both use the same last name ... so I will assume the do.
    And I will also assume you address each as Pastor (surname) in conversation rather than Dr., Father, or something else.
    That said ... on the envelope ... address it to "your pastor" first ... and put the name of "his spouse" on the second line:
        The Reverend Clinton Jones
            and The Reverend Susan Jones
                (address)

    On the salutation to both use:
        Dear Pastors Jones,

      -- Robert Hickey


Back to directory of titles  /  See who is using Honor & Respect

For forms of address for invitations, place cards, name badges, introductions, conversation, and all other formal uses, see Honor & Respect: the Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address.

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Photo: Marc Goodman.