York Region recently handed out their Character Community Awards, and
among one of the winners is a Newmarket Christian singer-songwriter
Justin Hines.
He was presented with the Community Hero Award.
Hines has Larsen’s syndrome and along with
performing music from his wheelchair, he is also the founder of the Justin
Hines Foundation for people with disabilities.
The awards recognize community leaders who lead by
example by living with character.
Ever share your faith with a non-church goer, only to have them look at you and go "huh?".
Sometimes when we share what we believe in, with non-Christians,
I think we can get into our own "Christian/church lingo"
that seems so absolutely foreign to them... and we don't even realize it.
I do this all the time!!!
We sometimes simply forget that many Christian words can seem a lot more puzzling to the non-believer, than easy to understand, if we don't take the time to explain.
This Christian comedian talks about that type of scenario here,
when he explains how he got his first dose of "Christianese"
when he went to church for the first time:
In conclusion, I compiled a small list of Christian words, that we might want to be aware may
confuse a non-church-going-friend more often than not.
Therefore in sharing our Christian faith, we may want to keep some of these words
in mind, and at least explain what they mean, as to not confuse
a non-Christian.
You and I know what these terms mean, obviously, but if you
didnt grow up in a churchy family, or have never even been to church
or heard about who Jesus Christ is... these terms will sound
more like a foreign language:
1. Witnessing
2. Evangelizing
3. Testimony
4. Being Saved
5. Fellowship/Small Groups
6. Spiritual Gifts
7. The Enemy
8. Sacrifice
9. Tithe
10. Eucharist
11. Laying of Hands
12. Provision
13. Blessings
14. Believer/Non-believer
15. Hallelujah
I know Christians feel fairly comfortable in discussing these
terms, (that we use them in our Everyday Language!)
but do you remember the first time you had heard them,
and had to figure what they meant?
Here's hoping this blog will help all of us (including myself)
be more sensitive to the questions many first time church-goers might have,
so that they can learn about the beauty of who Christ is, and what the church is,
in the most simple, loving way. (without being intimidated by the lingo)
