Clarity

I had someone talk with me the other day as we're slogging through the final steps of naming this church.  I heard myself say something that I've always known about myself but it was helpful to hear it aloud.  It's becoming more and more important in my life.  My statement was, "words and language are very important/significant to me."  It's true.  I'm a person who is learning to weigh my words carefully, who tries to understand exactly what you're really saying when you speak to me (without over-reading your intended expressions).  I'm also learning a significant paradox in life.  I'm a verbal processor, but many times, most people check out from conversation with you when you talk too long.  

What does all of this mean?  A few things.  First, clarity with your spouse is probably one of the best things you can do in your relationship.  Here's why.  If I live my life by the premise, "the clearer you can be in the least amount of words possible," it will force me to stop and think before I respond in potentially tense situations.  If I don't shoot from the hip or respond off the cuff without thinking first, I'm less likely to say something stupid, partially inaccurate, or completely inflammatory.  One of Carlotta's completely accurate critiques of me is that for much of my life, I've been somewhat ambiguous at times in my conversation.  Theoretically, I thought this was no big deal.  What I've since learned is that clarity brings more conversational health and remedies disagreements faster than ambiguity.  (Now that doesn't mean I use my words as a more effective weapon.  That's not justified either)

Beyond clarity more positively impacting my life with my spouse, it's a good pattern I'm getting into with Camden.  Even though she doesn't even know what "No!" means, it does me little good to even go beyond no right now because...as a 10 month old...rational conversation means nothing to her!  Sometimes I need to remind myself of that as I try to explain to her for the 100th time why she should stay out of the entertainment center cabinet.

I'm fascinated too as I study the bible what certain words actually mean in their literal translation.  This is why for all the people who think studying Greek or Hebrew is meaningless, I remind us that there are some words in their original language that translation to English doesn't do them justice.  In other cases, translation misses the fuller dynamic of the power of the Scripture.  Take for example, 1 Corinthians 6:19 (Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?)  I've been taught all my life that this verse refers to certain behaviors that we should not engage in because the Holy Spirit lives in my body and so I would never want to taint that temple with things like smoking or drinking or sexual immorality, etc.   Now while all those things are totally TRUE, in reality, the word you/your in that scripture is not singular, it's plural.  In other words, while the Holy Spirit does dwell inside of me, Paul literally is saying the Holy Spirit dwells among the believers in Corinth, and so choices made by the individual affect the Holy Spirit's work among the many.  As author Wil Mancini notes, we modern Christians are so hardwired into the idea of "personal relationship with Jesus" that we fail to even see how corporate and interconnected our journey with Christ really is.  We read with our language slants firmly in place rather than ingesting the scriptures for what they really say.

Now, how does this impact exit 14 church?  That is why you're reading I assume and I hope you're still with me. (**I haven't completely learned to live out this "be clear in the least number of words possible" philosophy just yet I see)  Our name must be clear in our intentions.  We are about movement, forward movement.  We are about connecting in ever deepening ways with God and our neighbor.  We are about living out the way of Jesus in ever clearer ways.  So our name and our philosophy of ministry and our processes/strategies must always reflect that movement.  Every name we filter through has to pass this effective language test.  It must express unity, passion, formation, anticipation and also speak that we are in search mode for the next step in our faith life, the next place God wants to take us, and the next people God wants to join us on the journey.  Our language will be a significant constant in helping us stay on mission.  And out of that forming language, these forming conversations, and lots of prayer and seeking direction from God, our new church name has emerged.  Want to know what it is?