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.