Language Matters; Part 2

This is part 2 of the Language Matters blog written for Reading City Church – for more information check out www.ReadingCityChurch.com.

So if words matter and are the vehicle on which culture travels, it’s crucial that man not be so flippant with his tongue, but instead discover the immense responsibility he has in being a steward of how he communicates. In his book Communicating for Life, Quentin J. Schultze argues that together, we co-create our realities by the words and language we use to communicate and define our worlds. “We are responsible for how we communicate and it is an issue of stewardship, that is, service to God and fellow human beings toward producing shalom [Hebrew for peace]. Shalom involves a complex of meanings marked by harmonious personal relationships with God and others, in communities marked by practical justice, peace, and love. Both stewardship and shalom are accomplished in and through human communication.”

Taking this information at face value, what do we see or what can we say about our western structure of Christianity in practice? Who will RCC choose to be and in what ways will she contribute to the greater conversation in engaging culture and society? In what ways will she co-create the potential realities of God’s kingdom on earth?

When Vince answered the question, “what kind of church will RCC be?” by saying “We are all about Jesus and his mission…” – he hit the nail on the head. RCC seeks to be responsible stewards not only of what she does, but how she communicates Christ, both internally and externally, verbally and non-verbally. This means an increased understanding and knowledge of God’s word and the ability to communicate it effectively. And it begins internally within herself [RCC]. How will RCC define herself and the world around her, even in the littlest of ways.

For those of you who have always wondered why I have such a hang-up on being called a “worship leader” or when the band is referred to as a “worship team”, you can start to see where I’m coming from. Worship is boundlessly larger and more complex than singing songs and playing music – this is just a fraction of what “worship” is. Worship is a lifestyle, a choice, a state-of-mind – the list goes on. So to give someone a label of “worship leader” or a band as a “worship team”, it hi-jacks the word “worship” and associates it directly to singing and music.  This is the reason so many Christians who hate singing along at “worship” services have an identity crisis. The internal dialogue and logic goes something like this – “Well if singing is worship, and I don’t feel comfortable singing, then I’m not worshiping, and if I’m not worshiping then I’m a bad Christian. Is something wrong with me?” The answer is obviously no.

We have been careless with catch-phrase Christianity. In an effort to be “cool”, we have sacrificed, devalued, and traded in important words and meanings to convey false images and create misunderstandings. This is why at RCC, we will not have a “Worship Pastor”, a “Worship Team”, a “Worship Leader”. Nor will we “enter into worship” – we will “enter into a time of worship”.  Instead, we may have a “Creative Arts Pastor” who seeks to guide and aid those in the creative arts use their abilities to bless others and worship God. Instead, we will have “worship-song leaders” and “the Encounter Band” who seeks to use their musical gifts to create musical moments that facilitate a personal encounter with God through song. See how responsible word choices change how we interpret important words such as “worship”?

Lastly, let us remember that communication is not just verbal but also non-verbal. In communicating a culture of shalom, actions can do the greatest good, while words can do the greatest harm. God knew this. Look all over proverbs for his warnings. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.”

This is the church I pray for RCC to be. A church that seeks first to do, and when necessary, to speak. But when she speaks, may the words be responsibly and wisely chosen, consistent with her actions, and the language rich in love, justice, purity, peace, kindness, gentleness, and compassion. May she communicate a culture of shalom.

Amen.