Words Matter

Today's blog is about something that really bothered me. I have never claimed to be the smartest person in the world, but I would like to think that I know the basics. To me, the basics would include understanding that words matter.

What got me going was an article in the March 18, 2009 Sun Sentinel. The article titled, Chaplain at Hospice by the Sea in Boca Raton resigns over ban on the word "God." Evidently, the leadership of the hospice decided that words like "God" and "Lord" could no longer be used by chaplains during the monthly staff meeting or in public presentations. The level of my frustration was slowly ratcheted up througout the article.

On one level the idea that an employer banning particular speech, so as not to "offend" anyone, is just spineless. I could do some mental gymnastics and find a circumstance that maybe I could understand the reason for the ban, but it was a pretty big stretch. What makes it a stretch is that many of the employees are pastors, rabbis, and priests. Asking one of them not to talk about God is like asking a politician not to spend money. It's not happening!

It gets better. The "pastor" who resigned had been singled out because of a devotion she gave during a chapel using "God" and "Lord" during the devotion. When asked about this she said "And I am well aware that there were people from the Jewish tradition in attendance. I didn't say Jesus or Allah or Jehovah. I used 'Lord' and 'God,' which I think are politically correct. I think that's as generic as you can get." What is a pastor doing thinking about being "politically correct?" A pastor's call is to speak God's Word, not be "pc." I guess I could give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that instead of being politically correct, she wanted to be sensitive to the spiritual condition of her audience. (Of course the audience was a group of employees attending a chapel led by a pastor... but I digress.)

As the infomercial says, "But wait! There's more!" The CEO who made the change in policy is then quoted in the article, quote,

Alderson said she was surprised by Signorelli's reaction to what she characterized as a minor administrative directive aimed solely at improving the decorum of monthly staff meetings, where the desired tone from a chaplain should be motivational, not religious.

Motivational and not religious??? If you look up the word "chaplain" in the dictionary, it has four possible meanings. Three of the four refer to "a clergyman", meaning a leader affiliated with the Christian church. The other definition says, "a person chosen to conduct a religious exercise." There is no way to get around the fact that the role of a chaplain is to talk about religion. That is, by definition, their job.

Why am I blogging about this (other than to rant a little bit?) You need to remember, words matter. As you teach people, lead your families, and interact with others, you need to communicate clearly with others. You need to understand what you are saying, then make sure your audience understands as well. When people are not clear in their communication with you, then you need to ask questions to make sure each of you understand what is being said.

I've learned to ask follow-up questions when in doubt. Especially when sharing the Gospel with someone. "What does it mean to be saved?" "What does it mean to you to have faith in Jesus?" "Why do you think you will go to heaven?" These clarifying questions have helped me be able to lead people to Christ. Remember, words matter. Choose them carefully and guard their meaning.