*Chad Jarnagin

I am a believer in the power of words. Be it a poetic approach or simply an informative angle. Within my world, words can inspire, confuse, or even distract.

Our verbiage is important. It even helps communicate what we’re not saying. The language that a group of people use often describes that tribe of people. It can express how they dress, the kind of music they listen to, and what they believe.

Here’s an example- In “churchy” circles I’ve begun to hear the terms “churched” and “unchurched”. I understand both sub-cultured terms, but both make me a little unsettled to be honest. What about this perspective? By “churched”, we’re implying that once you are in church (go to church, join a church, yada yada), that we are in the “club”. By using the term “unchurched”, it implies that one is outside of the church (people that don’t attend church on a regular basis).

To me, “churched” means that one is programmed to get the lingo, know the secret handshake, and understand the churchy verbiage. Where “unchurched” can mean that “they” don’t get the lingo, don’t know all the right things to say or do. Kind of makes me want to be an “unchurched” follower of Jesus to be honest.

A few months back, my church decided to change up a little verbiage. We are no longer using the term “member or membership”, and are using “partner or partnership” to describe the people that join us in a covenant fellowship. Personally, I think it was a good move, as we are striving to be aware of our words are not saying.

I will admit that I get hung up on verbiage & the words people use, all-the-while others don’t give it a second thought. You might be thinking “dude, get over it, you know what they mean”. I would say, why NOT change how we speak. Sometimes things unbroken should be broken. They might have more character. Challenging the status quo cultivates growth.

So, may we think, process with an authentic filter, and sense the manner in which we speak, print, publish, and post. What are we not saying?

“Jesus didn’t come to make us safe. He came to make us brave.” -Gary Haugen, International Justice Mission.

Safe by definition…
-secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk: a safe place.
-free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk: to arrive safe and sound.
-involving little or no risk of mishap, error, etc.: a safe estimate.
-careful to avoid danger or controversy: a safe player; a safe play.

We believers tend to have a sense of entitlement to be heard… but don’t we need to earn that right? We can’t earn that right by continuing to make crappy art that is predictable, bland, one dimensional, & “safe”. When will we be free to cease responding and reacting to the world, grabbing hold of what has already been created and making our own “safe” version, and begin to create culture that isn’t a sub-culture?

I realize these aren’t new thoughts. If you’re tired of hearing discussions like this, feel free to stop right here. But if you want to dream with me, keep reading.

I am sitting on 2 dozen unfinished songs for fear of them being lame. For every 1 song that I write or co-write there are 6 others that I just don’t feel are even close to being ready. Maybe they’re too raw, transparent, or not sing along friendly. But, if Jesus came to make us brave as Mr Haugen stated, why am I also falling prey to the fear of taking risks in my art?

If we are truly free in Christ, one would think that freedom would translate into the pinnacle of creativity w/ no walls or lids instead of finding it recycled, predictable, and full of “insider” language. The moment we default to the safe “happy” place and judge those creating on the edge, we have become ineffective and out of touch.

God, I’m sorry for not always offering You my very best. My own insecurities sometimes pull me to my own safe happy place, but that’s not where You live. My heart belongs to You. You continue to inspire us to new heights to create outstanding works for Your worship and Your glory. NOW, may we get up and bring you our BEST art. Be it raw, risky, and uncomfortable. May it flow from us, to You as an offering.

Shalom.

After seeing this article on Time.com, some discussions started breaking out here and there. I saw someone tweet about this and said that they don’t believe people should use Twitter in church. Others have even said that using the Bible apps to read the Bible in church instead of using paper Bibles is somehow wrong.

The interesting thought, is why would we be “distracted” from the fact that someone in our row would be reading the Bible from their phone instead of a hardcopy of the Good Book? Or the fact that a worship leader or teacher / speaker would be reading from their phone? Should it matter if we speak these words of life from a screen or from a page?

On the Twitter topic, I actually enjoy reading some of the friends I follow on Twitter while they are at church. Some great insights can be shared in real time. Personally, I do tend to use my iPhone app to read the Bible on and off stage. However, I don’t tweet very often during service times. But, I have & will when my pastor brings a point that I want the world to see/ hear.

This could be some good and fun convo if you all will help. SO, what do you all think?