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Churchy Clichés... and What They Really Mean
Why can't we as the church communicate more clearly and without rhetoric and clichés? The North American evangelical culture is filled with "churchy" clichés--words and phrases we use to describe the church and ministry. The net result is that we stereotype ourselves with these catchphrases, and end up turning off the very people we want to engage. Worse, the more I hear these, the more convinced I am that we cheapen our faith and our God when we dip into our "church speak".
Here are just a few examples, along with my take on their "real" meanings. Warning: there's quite bit of sarcasm here. I hesitate to write in this style but I want to make a point even if it might offend some. The goal is to look at these clichés and ask, "Is there a better way to say this?" Are these clichés, because of their overuse and misuse, a hindrance to our churches and ministries today?
Modern Church Clichés:
| Word or Phrase |
"Real" Meaning |
| "Relevant" |
"Something you might enjoy that looks and sounds a lot like a popular TV series, ad campaign or pop culture icon" |
| "Authentic" |
"In some aspects, as messed up as you are" |
| "Community" |
"Group of people with little in common who all attend the same mega-church" |
| "Community Event" |
"Food served in a cul-de-sac, with face painting for children" |
| "Revolution" |
"Event or movement that most people will not like, but a few will really like a lot" |
| "Driven" |
"Moving forward based on a book-inspired philosophy that has at least 4 or 5 key steps" |
| "Missional" |
Same as "Driven" except steps related in some way, shape or form to something Jesus did in the gospels |
| "Focus" |
"Something one or more church leaders believe is important enough to cancel other stuff in order to devote everyone's full energy and resources to it" |
| "Emergent" |
"We're making this up as we go along" |
| "Connect" |
"Meet" |
| "Network" |
"Meet" |
| "Engage" |
"Meet" |
| "Experience" |
"See" or "Hear" |
| "Belong" |
"Join" |
| "WWJD?" (stands for "What Would Jesus Do?") |
"This issue is not addressed in John 3:16, which is the only Bible verse I know" |
Stewardship Related Clichés:
| Word or Phrase |
Real Meaning |
| "Seed" |
"Check" |
| "Plant a seed" |
"Write a check" |
| "Continue in your faithfulness" |
"Write checks continuously" |
| "God wants to bless you" |
"You will get stuff based on whether or not you write a check" |
| "Are you receiving God's fullest blessings?" |
"Have you written a check lately?" |
| "To whom much is given, much is required" |
"You can afford to write a bigger check" |
| "Resources that have been entrusted to you" |
"Money you have that you should be turning over in the form of a check" |
Ministry Related Clichés:
| Word or Phrase |
Real Meaning |
| "Baptist" |
"Judgmental" |
| "Non-Denominational" |
"Inoffensive" |
| "Charismatic" |
"Waaay out there" |
| "Dynamic" |
"Long-winded" |
| "Postmodern" |
"Turned off by anything related to the church, unless you offer Starbucks coffee" |
| "Core Values" |
"The top 3 or 4 things we really want to do. Well, maybe 5 things, or 6--7 tops..." |
| "Mission Statement" |
"A sentence, whose origins are unknown, which is written on several colorful banners at the church and that every member must memorize" |
| "Committed" |
"Seen in worship services at least twice a month; occasionally also on Wednesday nights" |
Clichés We Sometimes Hear in Worship Gatherings:
| Word or Phrase |
Real Meaning |
| "Scripture tells us..." |
"I think this is in the Bible somewhere but I don't know the reference; here is my paraphrase, which is likely out of context" |
| "Every head bowed and every eye closed" |
"Stop packing up your stuff; the worship service is not over yet" |
| "God, give us traveling mercies" |
"Buckle your seatbelt and don't act like an idiot when you hit the road in a few minutes" |
| "God, we ask for a hedge of protection around..." |
"We want to ask in a churchy way that nothing bad happen to this person or group" |
| "Mistake" |
"Sin" |
| "Error in judgement" |
"Sin" |
| "Negative circumstances" |
"Sin" |
| "Poor choices" |
"Sin" |
| "Unspoken prayer request" |
"Something I would really like to gossip about, but I have promised I would not tell anyone; in any event, I know something that you don't" |
These words and phrases aren't all bad--in fact, the issue is not "good" or "bad". The issue is, does our language sometimes hinder our ministry? I'm guilty of firing off many of these phrases over the years without thinking about how they will be received. Words mean things. Be careful and conscientious in your speech--especially with all of those "churchy words".
 For Further Reading On This Topic...
> Click for more books and periodicals on aligning (intention).
About the Author. Eugene L. Mason has more than two decades of experience in ministry communications and technologies. More...
Copyright Eugene L. Mason. All rights reserved. 032009
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