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Christians Terms Used In Church Not Always Familiar To Visitors

11/07/2009   

“And hearing they may hear and not understand.” (Mark 4:12)

Several weeks ago, my wife and I were visiting friends in Georgia and heard a humorous story about a misunderstanding their seven-year old daughter had. She attends a private Christian school operated by their church, but has a close friend that attends public school. When she was five, her mother was taking her to another town and they passed by a Publix Supermarket. “Mom,” she asked. “Is that the Publix School that he attends?”

We laughed when her mother recounted the story for us. But it made me think about how frequently we use terms in our own churches that confuse other Christians and unbelievers. Typically, every denomination uses an expression or two that other denominations do not use. We should remember when others are visiting our churches that they may not only be unfamiliar with how we worship, but also may find that some of the words we hurl around are equally strange and foreign.

Here’s a great example of what I mean: When my wife and I were dating eighteen years ago, her ten-year-old daughter asked me if I was saved. I had never heard that expression and asked her what she meant. Suffice it to say, she did a more than able job of explaining what salvation meant, and indeed, I was saved about three months later.

A number of mainstream denominations do not use the word “saved” to refer to asking Jesus to come into their hearts. It doesn’t mean their members aren’t saved, or that there denomination is doctrinally wrong because it does not refer to a salvation experience as being saved. It just means they are different, which is in part what Paul meant when he said, “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.” (1 Corinthians 12:20)

Jesus confronted similar situations during his ministry. In fact, he often used parables to help other better understand a spiritual point he was making. “But to those who are outside, all things come in parables,” he once told his disciples, “so that seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand. Lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.” (Mark 4:11-12)

When visitors attend our churches, we should stop and think about the things we say and do. I’m not saying we should apologize for them, or refrain from some practice that is customary in our church. Indeed, it’s probably why we attend certain churches to begin with. But there is also nothing wrong with offering an explanation of what just happened, or what some expression means.

A former pastor of mine, who is always very sensitive to the fact that visitors may not understand what was just said or done, would literally stop the service and explain what just happened. He always used Scripture to back up what he said. His church has exploded in growth and I am one who happens to believe that his sensitivity to such feelings is a major reason why.

The next time you look around the sanctuary during one of your church services and notice a visitor, think about what aspect of your worship service might be a little different for them. Words like saved, Holy Eucharist, Spirit baptism, sacrament, justified, homily, Jehovah Jirah, liturgy, and many others are not common in all denominations. Reach out to them and help them enjoy your service. It’s the best way to make sure you see them another Sunday.

posted by Mike Ruffin on 11/07/2009