Some Churchy Phrases To Consider Changing Or Eliminating
Last week, I read Addie Zierman’s post, “5 Churchy Phrases That Are Scaring Off Millennials,” and then I saw Nadia Bolz Weber’s twitter trending topic, #meaninglesschurchjargon…
They got me thinking about those (often annoying) churchy phrases we use. Listen in on this 6 minute leadership podcast as Andy Jones & I talk about some churchy phrases we should consider changing or eliminating.
I am a husband, father, pastor, leader & reader. I love God, love people & love life.
Good stuff! I had the same exact conversation with a few friends this week about the ‘love on’ phrase.
I’m so glad that ‘love on’ came up…It is definitely an American thing. I’ve never heard it out of the context of US Christianity and it is simply the most creepiest thing I’ve ever heard.
I would like someone to say “Love on someone today” and then explain how to actually do it. Because, essentially, all they are saying is “show love to someone today.”
But honestly, it is only acceptable within the parameters of Christianity. If I wasn’t a Christian and you told me you were going to love on my teenage daughter, I certainly wouldn’t allow her to go to your youth ministry and would probably report you to the police. Just a thought for youth pastors out there
Funny what we think is acceptable.
Back when I was at Stone, one of our leaders was on the microphone inviting guests & the person who brought them to come to a hospitality room where they would receive a gift and be welcomed… but this is what he said:
“We want to invite all our first time guests to come back to the room behind the auditorium so we can love on you for a few minutes.”
So terrible.
Hahahaha! That is atrocious!
I do love the church worldwide. It is a crazy group of people all under construction!
So let’s unpack this a bit… Ok, I had to.
Honestly, being a millennial and struggling with a lot of the same things that my peers do when it comes to church, I think that the premise of the articles is wrong but the last line is perfect. “What millennials really want is to be seen, understood and loved. That’s all any of is really want.”
That in itself is almost a cliche, but so profound. I once tweeted that young adult ministries succeed for one reason, the leader can bridge the gap between “poppers” and “career people.”
I now believe this is only half true, the leader also has to bridge the gap between the millennials and the older generation too. A good young adult leader will find mentors to build relationships with the millennials. In most churches 35+ aged people are the movers and the shakers, meaning when they speak out the leadership listens. No one really pays attention to those in the millennial age group. Due to this we have an increased splitting or breaking off of churches to create new churches. Normally this is a positive thing but the recent model shows young pastors starting churches so they can do things “their way.” We see churches born of rebellion.
Flat out, the Millennials are searching for God. As a church we can either walk along side of them and show them the right way (meaning seeing them, understanding them and loving them). The best way to so is through mentorship. I have an awesome mentor, he’s a different denomination, has completely different goals in life than I do but he takes time to listen to my questions, many of them hard to answer, he gives advice when asked and subtly steers me back to my bible when he doesn’t have advice or doesn’t know the right answer.
So as a leader, do you want a thriving YA ministry? Just be a bridge between the millennials and the older age groups in the church.
Ok, I digress… Again I had to. Haha!