Churchese

What do the following words have in common: sanctification, narthex, doxology, hymn, acolyte, sermon, and introit? They are words that the vast majority of the North American population do not use or understand. They are among the many words familiar to pastors and members of mainline churches, that mean nothing to the sea of humanity around us who are unfamiliar with Jesus. They make up our unique language, which I call "churchese."

This upcoming Sunday is a special Sunday for Jesus followers, which also goes by a churchese name - Pentecost. This special day celebrates the sending of the Holy Spirit following the risen Jesus' return to God. (In the Christian Bible, see Acts 2:1-11.) Lots of signs and wonders happen in this story. There's a great sound like a mighty wind. Some kind of appearance of flame appears atop the heads of Jesus-followers. Unlettered Galileans speak of the mighty acts of God in languages they had not previously learned. The greatest miracle of Pentecost, though, is that people heard the mighty acts of God in a language they understood.

If we're serious about being obedient to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) we need to find ways to drop "churchese" and speak to people about Jesus in a language that makes sense to them.

Consider the following:

Look at the "churchese" words above. How would you define them to someone who has no knowledge of Jesus or the church? What are other "churchese" words that need definition or purging?

Try talking about your own faith in Jesus without using "churchese" words. Have someone else check you on this.

I'll see you around the next bend in the river.