Day 9: Words and Terms
When I was a child, I learned that in our family saying “hate” and “shut up” were unacceptable. My parents didn’t say those words to us or use those words when talking about other people.
We could ‘strongly dislike’ something or someone. We could ask someone to ‘be quiet’ or to ‘please, stop talking,’ but “hate’ and ‘shut up’ were off limits. The decision to avoid these words was not arbitrary. As followers of Jesus we were called to love, not hate. As fellow children of the body of Christ, we were called to be respectful of others.
Words matter. Words can inspire love and incite hatred. Words can call us to action and shape our thinking. Words can open doors to relationship or create roadblocks.
To help align our language with our mission, it can be helpful to create a list of “Words We Like” and “Words We Don’t Like”. Creating a list of “Words We Like” and “Words We Don’t Like” is not about trying to ban words or tell people what they can and cannot say, it is about being intentional about using words that express who we are and who we are called to be. As Sarah Obenhaur points out, “We don’t want to create a restrictive list of words that will get you into trouble, but we built these lists into our brand guide to align all staff and volunteers on who we are, and how that is reflected in our language.”
Being intentional about the ‘Words We like’ and the ‘Words We Don’t Like’ as a congregation creates consistency in our proclamation of the good news about Jesus and invites people to ‘talk’ their way into living out their faith in relationship with one another.
If you would like to see an example of “Words We Like and Words We Don’t Like,” you can download the list I created for myself and my ministry.
“Words We Like & Words We Don’t Like” Wertz 2021
Reflection Author: John Wertz, Jr.
Quotation from: Branding with Purpose: For Faith-Based Organizations and Churches by Sarah Obenhaur
Questions for Reflection:
- What is a word you like and a word you don’t like?
- Describe a time when words invited you into a relationship or created a roadblock?
- ‘Words We Like’ are often repeated frequently. What words show up the most often in your congregation’s communications?
- You and your team will create a “Words We Like and Words We Don’t Like” list as a part of the next Renew 145 Retreat. Use the Words and Terms worksheet to help prepare for the retreat. Words & Terms Worksheet