How to Address a Seventh-day Adventist Minister
How to Write the Name of a Seventh-day Adventist Minister?
My pastor is a Seventh-day Adventist and I have never heard anyone refer to him, or any other SDA pastor, as ‘The Reverend (Full Name)’. He does not have a doctorate. How do I address an envelope to him?
——————–– R
Dear R, How to Address a Seventh-day Adventist Minister
Even if your SDA pastor had a doctorate, ‘Dr. (Name)’ is not part of the traditional form of address for SDA ministers holding a doctorate.
The spokesperson for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Silver Spring, Maryland says ‘Elder’ is the preferred honorific in the U.S.A.
—-In writing, envelope:
—-—-Elder (Full Name)
——–(Address)
—-Salutation: How to Address a Seventh-day Adventist Minister
—-—-Dear Elder (Surname),
Outside the U.S.A., ‘Pastor (Name)’ is frequently used.
– Robert Hickey How to Address a Seventh-day Adventist Minister
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
When Should You Use the Forms on this Page?
You can use these forms of address for any mode of communication: addressing a letter, invitation, card or Email. (If there are differences between the official and social forms of address, I will have mentioned the different forms.) The form noted in the salutation is the same form you say when you say their name in conversation or when you greet them.
___What I don’t cover on this site are many things I do cover in my book: all the rules of forms of address, about names, international titles, precedence, complimentary closes, details on invitations, place cards, all sorts of introductions, etc. I hope you’ll get a copy of the book if you’d like the further detail.
Not Finding Your Answer?
—-#1) At right on desktops, at the bottom of every page on tablets and phones, is a list of all the offices, officials & topics covered on the site.
—-#2) If you don’t see the official you seek included or your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day or so (unless I am traveling.) Note: I don’t have mailing or Email addresses for any of the officials and I don’t keep track of offices that exist only in history books.
—-#3) If I think your question is of interest to others, Sometimes I post the question – but always change all the specifics.
— Robert Hickey
Robert Hickey author of “Honor & Respect”
Recommended Resources: The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW) and Protocol and Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA) For more information see the Protocol Resources page.