Church Speak

Christianese. Churcy talk. I'm taking about words like...

Visitor
Committee
Preaching
Sermon
Bless your heart
Sanctuary
Fellowship
Sunday School
Brother
Pews
Member
Amen

All of these words come from a church culture that regular people do not understand. Unless you grew up in a Baptist church, you have no idea when someone responds when they invite you over for some fellowship.

Don't say, “This way to the sanctuary,” or call anyone “brother.” Unchurched people don't know those terms. You can help guests find the right theater, but "sanctuary" is a church term that outsiders may not understand. Don’t talk about how great Sunday School is for the kids, or ask how many members we have. And since “Amen” really means “Yes, I agree,” just say “Yes.”

Insurance guys can use insurance terms around regular people, and we will have no idea what they mean. Lawyers can use legal terms, which their lawyer friends may understand, but the general public will not.  Church people can use church speak - other church people will get it, but the unchurched will not relate.

Comments

[dannye]

What's Up BRO? Does that count as brother? Just wondering, Great blog!

[the weavenator]

i really learned not to use those types of words this summer. It is hard and you have to make a conscious effort not to use them.

[lavalamp775]

hey, whoever [email protected] is...

i'm not going to post comments because you are too whimpy, insecure, etc. to post a real e-mail address. you have commented here before, but you're done unless you are going to say who you really are. to quote perry noble, "It is VERY easy to lob accusations and point out problems when you are sitting in your underwear in your mothers basement behind a computer screen…"

so if you want to disagree, that's cool...but you have to identify yourself.

[doris]

what about "ministries"? I still don't know what it really means......

[Laurel]

What if I call you brother, is that acceptable, seeing as how you ARE my brother! :)

[brad]

what about 'brutha'? is 'brutha' cool?

[darrell bowman]

What are those signs popping up around Cartersville? Is someone trying to boycott the church or is it a joke

[Kevin]

Great post. Should we add unchurched to the list now? I heard an alter call made on Sunday and the person said "If your unchurched..." My first reaction was "WOW!" My second was, "Not only does the unchurched person not know what that means but 7/8 of the people in the building don't know what that means!"