Word of the Week: Testimony

Testimony

“I am a living testimony.” “Let me share my testimony with you.” “How can you be a living testimony?” In fact, what is a testimony ?

Definition from Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

· Pronunciation: \ˈtes-tə-ˌmō-nē\

· Etymology: Middle English testimonie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin testimonium Decalogue, from Latin, evidence, witness, from testis witness

· Date: 14th century

1 a (1): the tablets inscribed with the Mosaic law (2): the ark containing the tablets b: a divine decree attested in the Scriptures
2 a: firsthand authentication of a fact: evidence b: an outward sign c: a solemn declaration usually made orally by a witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized public official
3 a: an open acknowledgment b: a public profession of religious experience

By definition the word testimony has several different meanings. However the same principle applies to all definitions. That is sharing what you have experienced or know. A testimony for a Christian is how they came to know Jesus, or what he has done and is doing in their lives. It is a relationship worth sharing with other people, so that they may come to know Jesus themselves.

Being a living testimony is acting on that relationship by letting other people see love, acceptance, patience and other characteristics of Jesus. It is being an example of how God is working in your life.

People who aren’t Christians may look at this word and not quite understand what’s going on (“Do they think they’re in a court of law? Are they CRAZY??” Others may see it as another way for a Christian to try and force them to believe in what they do, but it doesn’t have to be like that. A testimony is not meant to force you to believe in anything. It is simply an explanation to why a Christian may seem different from everybody else. It’s a way for you to get to know them and if it peaks someone’s interest that’s awesome. An explanation of the way YOU use the word “testimony” may be necessary, or you could try saying something like “this is what Christ has done in my life,” or “having a relationship with Jesus has changed me this way.” Rather than being confused by the Christianese you’re speaking, the person you’re talking to will probably simply accept this as a straightforward and honest way of communicating who YOU are, and they’ll learn about Jesus in the process.

by Angie Paddock

Word of the Week: Christianese

Christianese

christianese: (kris'ch nez') n. 1. Language spoken by church goers that is seldom understood by anyone else.

This year the “Word of the Week” will focus on “Christianese.” The hope is that through this study of “Christianese” we will become more aware of the Christian subculture language that we use everyday, and the shortcomings we create for ourselves by trying to use it on people who don’t speak it.

Titan Christian Fellowship is focusing on having our “Arms Open Wide” – but if we speak a language that doesn’t translate on the far side of communication, we have probably only confused and frustrated our hearers who can only see how different we are from them – and how different they would have to become in order to fit into the (exclusive and seemingly archaic, irrelevant, and very strange) Christian world. Our hope this year is to put forth a face, demeanor, and language of acceptance that “outsiders” will feel so comfortable and welcomed by that they will not even notice, at first, that they have already stepped closer to the light – they will just they have some pretty cool new friends who happen to be Christians that they feel comfortable around and want to spend more time with.

For this week’s Word, “Christianese,” I’m going to write a quick blurb – pretend it’s a part of a conversation I’m having with you. Pretend it’s part of a conversation I’m having with a nonChristian who wants to know why I’m wearing a shirt that says “Arms Open Wide” on it.... As you read, watch for “Christianese” terms. Ask yourself: how do I understand this word? How does the person I’m talking to understand this word? Will they see the love of Christ in this word, or will they see the love of Christianity? Would some one on the “outside” that I’m trying to welcome in feel welcomed?

Remember, those on the “outside” are those that
• know nothing about Christianity
• know just enough about Christianity to not want to have anything more to do with it

The world needs Jesus. So many people today are living to satisfy the flesh and are so engrossed in sin that they can no longer see the light to be saved by. Those of us who are born again need to evangelize them, by teaching them the Truth and inviting them to church so that they can experience the freedom we know. They can have faith in Jesus just as we do and can kill their old self and become a part of the living body of Christ. By our testimony and witness they will begin to see the hope of salvation, and they will repent and be saved.

I confess, it almost sounds pretty normal to me. I wouldn’t even think it weird if you said this to me. I’d probably say “Amen! Let it be! Go Jesus Go!” But can you begin to see how it might cause some one else to run the other way? Do you begin to see how someone who has been a part of the church in the past and left it might avoid ever talking to you again?

Friends, if we’re going to make others feel welcomed and accepted, if we’re going to get them to walk into our wide open arms and into Christ’s, we must not box them out with our words.

The Go House

TCF's Go House

Welcome Week 2009

The last couple of weeks have been swallowed up by work on the new campus house -- but we are FINALLY seeing light at the end of the tunnel (at least for the projects we hope to complete this year). There are rooms that are CLEAN and functional with furniture and curtains! SUCH PROGRESS! We've even had numerous gatherings there and welcomed a few freshmen to campus at our cookout yesterday. This is the BEFORE picture. See the AFTER picture of the GO House in the next entry.

But it's here at last: the end of summer and the beginning of new year of ministry at UW-O. Freshmen moved in yesterday, all the returning students came back today. TCF helped move people in and invited hundreds of people to join us for our week of activities!

We have a Breakfast for Returning TCFers , the Taste of Oshkosh (the organization fair), and the Faith Community Cookout all tomorrow; a Video-Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday, Game Night on Thursday, a House Party on Friday, Ultimate Frisbee and "Night at the Northwoods" on Saturday, the kickoff service for 180 Church on Sunday (180 is the Wisconsin Christian Campus Ministries church, like TCF is one of two WCCM campus ministries), and a party for the Packers/Bears game Sunday evening. Whew!

In the meantime, the students (including Rob) start school on Wednesday! Pray for sanity!

Pray for us and the incoming students! May they be inspired and obedient to God's call to search Him out -- to try something other than the typical party scene. May we be welcoming and wise in our words and actions as we seek to introduce students to Christ and get them hooked on Him!