Salvation By Nomenclature

IMPORTANT CAVEAT: this is not about pronouns, or eliminating discriminatory language, or even removing violent or careless or ableist phrases from our discourse. That work around our language matters a great deal, and it is a sign of care for others that we mind our linguistic P’s and Q’s.

Instead, this is about how organizations can stall out at the finish line because they are fighting over how to word a thing. I know a congregation that didn’t start a major initiative because some people didn’t like the title they used. Another congregation refused to move forward with a congregational covenant because they couldn't agree on language. I also know of congregations and organizations that look at a failing program and instead of reimagining the program, they decided the name was the problem and slapped a new name on it as though the cosmetic fix would solve the deeper issues that caused its end the first time.

Yes. The words we use matter. And we are taught that words matter, through education, through advertising, and yes, even through political framing (see George Lakoff's work on this). It's why there are always new slogans, new language to use. Heck, even slang and jargon are evidence of how words matter, as they signal social status, belonging, and connection.

But we cannot let the words be the thing that stops the good work we are trying to do in our congregations. Yet somehow, we have raised arguments about wordsmithing to an expert level. Olympic level. Championship league level. Somehow, decisions about phrasing and which of the many words at our disposal will make the thing a reality become more important than the thing.

And often does the opposite of making the thing a reality.

We will not be saved by getting the words right. We will not effectively do the work that Love calls us to if we are too busy defining and parsing the words.

I say this as someone who is a writer and prizes clarity in language: it's okay if it's a draft. It's okay if it's not quite right but gets the point across. It's okay if we have to go back later and clean it up. It's okay if we have to reprint the signs and the t-shirts.

If words are what are keeping you from actively engaging good programming and initiatives, set the words aside for now. Do the good work. Make the generative decisions. Set the plan in motion. The words will come.