Speaking Missionese (Revisited)
Jan/03/2010 16:03
Last September I wrote two articles about the use of flowery language using what I called “missionese” and today a conversation after worship reminded me of those articles again. I’m reposting them here in hopes of sparking thought and conversation about the use of this language and to bring to light the words missionaries are using to perpetuate bad theology. Enjoy!
Being around the mission-sphere awhile means that sooner or later you’re exposed to a new way of talking and expression. The “missionese” spoken by and about missionaries is a derivative of “christianese” spoken by millions of Christian adherents especially those of an evangelical stripe. A few years ago Bel Air Drama Department posted a parody on learning to speak Christianese:
Unfortunately, B.A.D.D didn’t go far enough to teach us “missionese,” that strain can only be acquired through language immersion. The problem with “missionese” is that it is perpetuated by normal, well-meaning Christians who through their flowery descriptions paint mission work in celestial phrases. We missionaries are guilty of accepting this praise and then turning it around to describe our own work. Phrases like:
perpetuate the misunderstanding that missional ministry is something you must feel. J. Hudson Taylor once said, “The great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed” and I read elsewhere (although I couldn’t find the reference) “who needs a calling when we have a command?” I believe that there is a mentality within Christianity influenced by “missionese” that needs to be corrected. Not every missionary needs to be “led” or “called” only obedient. Not every decision requires confirmation, only opportunity and wisdom. Sometimes missionaries walk through doors that appear to be closed and stay put when doors appear to be opened. Missionaries and those that support them need not be super-spiritual people, simply obedient, humble servants obeying the command to go. So the next time you find yourself “feeling led” to do something for Jesus remember, Jesus “didn’t give you a burden,” he gave you a command.
If you read my post entitled “Speaking Missionese” last week you will know that I believe the modern idea of feeling “called” to missions or “being led to mission work” in-spite of wisdom’s direction or giftedness and opportunity is foreign to the bible. For instance, I would seriously challenge someone’s missional calling to the jungles of Sri Lanka who is married with 3 children and taking care of their invalid mother in Ohio. However I also know that to deny the Holy Spirit’s involvement altogether would be foolish. John Piper had some thoughts on this very issue a few years ago. If you have any sense of a growing desire for mission work read his thoughts.
Is God Calling You to Give Your Life for His Sake and the Gospel in Missions?
Speaking Missionese
Being around the mission-sphere awhile means that sooner or later you’re exposed to a new way of talking and expression. The “missionese” spoken by and about missionaries is a derivative of “christianese” spoken by millions of Christian adherents especially those of an evangelical stripe. A few years ago Bel Air Drama Department posted a parody on learning to speak Christianese:
Unfortunately, B.A.D.D didn’t go far enough to teach us “missionese,” that strain can only be acquired through language immersion. The problem with “missionese” is that it is perpetuated by normal, well-meaning Christians who through their flowery descriptions paint mission work in celestial phrases. We missionaries are guilty of accepting this praise and then turning it around to describe our own work. Phrases like:
- “feeling called”
- “being led”
- “God laid mission work on my heart”
- “having a burden for...”
- “received a confirmation” and
- “the Spirit opened a door”
perpetuate the misunderstanding that missional ministry is something you must feel. J. Hudson Taylor once said, “The great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed” and I read elsewhere (although I couldn’t find the reference) “who needs a calling when we have a command?” I believe that there is a mentality within Christianity influenced by “missionese” that needs to be corrected. Not every missionary needs to be “led” or “called” only obedient. Not every decision requires confirmation, only opportunity and wisdom. Sometimes missionaries walk through doors that appear to be closed and stay put when doors appear to be opened. Missionaries and those that support them need not be super-spiritual people, simply obedient, humble servants obeying the command to go. So the next time you find yourself “feeling led” to do something for Jesus remember, Jesus “didn’t give you a burden,” he gave you a command.
Feeling Called
If you read my post entitled “Speaking Missionese” last week you will know that I believe the modern idea of feeling “called” to missions or “being led to mission work” in-spite of wisdom’s direction or giftedness and opportunity is foreign to the bible. For instance, I would seriously challenge someone’s missional calling to the jungles of Sri Lanka who is married with 3 children and taking care of their invalid mother in Ohio. However I also know that to deny the Holy Spirit’s involvement altogether would be foolish. John Piper had some thoughts on this very issue a few years ago. If you have any sense of a growing desire for mission work read his thoughts.
Is God Calling You to Give Your Life for His Sake and the Gospel in Missions?
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