I've just returned from an amazing refreshing but surprisingly exhausting time at Together on a Mission 2010. For the uninitiated (and so I don't completely contradict what I think I am going to write later)Together on a Mission is an annual conference for those involved in leadership within the NewFrontiers group of churches.
It is the 3rd time I have attended, but the first time that I have had the added distraction of an iphone and a blog. Not entirely sure whether the benefits of this outweighed the distractions, but still was good to be able to see and reflect on how other people were experiencing the conference as it took place.
I heard some truly gifted people preach and thoroughly enjoyed worshiping with people from many nations. The diversity and depth this brought to the worship was truly awesome. However I can't help reflecting on, particularly in the international context of the conference, the range of terminology and buzz phrases we are prone to using as a group of churches. Whilst I am sure this is not only true of our group of churches, or indeed the wider church, the phrases we adopt and allocate meaning to over the years that become so easily part of our praise, worship and discussions are prone to misinterpretation by not only those outside the church but those within it also.
The terminology used at this years conference, was prolific to the point where it became a bit of a joke, with a tally being kept of the frequency of certain key phrases. I am not for a second being critical of the underlying meaning and intent of these phrases, but we need to consider the fact that references to 'apostolic spheres', 'extension of apostolic spheres' and 'trans-local ministry' may be interpreted, understood and applied differently by those within and those not connected with church. These phrases are based on fundamental principles, so surely then it is vital that they are understood and applied accurately. Yes, the conference I attended was a leadership conference, so there was a certain level of assumed understanding. However if these phrases or the principals they are designed to illustrate are to be passed on to others in a church context, particularly those new to a church environment ,then I think consideration needs to be given to how accessible they are. I feel passionately about accessible church, and whilst we are good at certain elements of this I think we could benefit from looking at the things we say and the phrases we use to communicate fundamental concepts.
By way of an illustration and in a bid to end this post with a smile ............please follow this link for a spot of buzz word bingo. Thanks to @jammiedd for this link.
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/2603633/Newfrontiers%20Bingo.pdf
