Okay, so lately I have been trying to clean up my language. I have learned that I talk in a code language that is called Christianese; this is so not cool. The other day I was at work and someone asked me if I wanted to hang out later, I said, “sorry, I can’t, I have worship practice tonight.” By the look on their face I could tell they either thought I was crazy for trying to “practice” worshiping, or they completely could not understand the words that were coming out of my mouth.

I walked away from this person scratching my head thinking, “what else could I call it other than ‘worship practice,’ what else is it?” What words would an uncircumcised Philistine understand?

So, a few weeks later a random person that I know asked what were my plans for Thursday night, remembering what happened before, I said very calmly, “I have band practice tonight at my church.” Score! Crisis adverted! I broke through to a person who didn’t understand my Christian code language. But, for some reason when I said the phrase at “my church” I began to wonder. I, like you, had been reading howtobecomeamissionary.com and thought to myself “I am the church not the building in which I meet with my congregation.” From this a snowball effect (or is it affect?) of ideas happened and I started thinking about a lot of things that I did, believed in, and thought were quite normal.

By definition (my definition) a Christian(noun) is a follower of Jesus Christ. But we often talk about Christian stores, Christian music, Christian companies, blah blah blah. These are all adjectives, how can a store be Christian? Does the store and the music sold in a store follow Jesus Christ? I think not. But, we christen materials and service as Christian and neglect to call it what it really is. A store, music, or band practice that glorifies God. Why do we do this, why do I do this?

I have come to one conclusion. I speak in a code language because it is what I have learned. Just like a baby that grows up in the US or another country learns to speak its own language. Followers of Christ that grow up in a westernized type of Christianity will speak a certain type of Christianese. I know for a fact that Christians in small villages don’t have Christian stores or Christian clothes. Mainly because there is not market for it. Which brings me to the next point.

Is it silly to anyone else that we actually have things or materials that are Christian? I mean have these things really accepted Jesus Christ? To some I may be splitting hairs, but I think it is important that we distinguish ourselves from the world, not the things we own. I believe by not doing so we make a Christian sub-culture that was never intended for the church. I mean, did Jesus intend for us to have bracelets that remind us to think What Would Jesus Do. I believe that is the Holy Spirit’s job. Or what about the vanity license plates that say “SAVDRU” or “IMGODZ.” I say we put away the Christian things and the Christian phrases that only we understand and bring out the true person of Christ. I say we bring out our love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. This is what people need to see, this is what really need to see. Not our “Jesus saves” tee-shirt.

Yes, I do agree that God can and does work through anything. He talked through Balaam’s ass and sometimes mine. But, say I, if we can get rid of unnecessary walls let’s kick’m down.

So henceforth I’ve set myself to do the following to clean up my act and language:

• Pray as if God is a real person and not begin and end every sentence with Lord or Father.
• Note that the church is a people, not a place. This is a hard one because people always ask, “what church do you go to?” My answer as of lately has been, my congregation meets at [state address]. This way I’ve found I don’t sound like a know-it-all and most people seem to be curious and ask more questions about my beliefs.
• Be open and honest about my relationship with Jesus. For example, it used to be when I was was reading the Bible or praying, someone would call and ask, “what are you doing.” My answer would be untruthful, “nothing.” Now I simply say exactly what I’m doing. I’ve found there is no reason to hide a relationship with Jesus. There is no shame in needing Jesus.
• Not ignore the poor and hungry people I see downtown or around town.
• Lift my hands and dance during worshiping God. In love of course, don’t want be annoying and smack an old lady in the face.

This is what I plan to do, what about you?