A euphemism is a substitution of an agreeable or less offensive expression in place of one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant to the listener, or in the case of Doublespeak, to make it less troublesome for the speaker. The deployment of euphemisms is a central aspect within the public application of political correctness.
It also may be a substitution of a description of something or someone rather than the name, to avoid revealing secret, holy, or sacred names to the uninitiated, or to obscure the identity of the subject of a conversation from potential eavesdroppers. Some euphemisms are intended to amuse.
I think that Christians, in our desire not to offend (either God or one another), are more heavily reliant upon euphemisms than many other people in our society. And yet euphemisms don't serve us well. They push us toward at least convoluted communication, and at worst passive-aggressive communication. They also tend toward "insider speak," which works against our call to be missional.
So, please, help me stamp out Christian euphemisms by posting your (least) favorites in the comments below, and I'll start posting them.
Only YOU can stop Christian euphemism!
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Make that: Go from Galatians3...to.
Sorry.
I find the whole 'christian culture' language game makes me wince. Whichever Christian culture it is related too. It is prevalent amongst emergents, evangelicals, alt.worshipers, radically-orthodox, and so on.
Yes even I do it. Slap me every time I shoe-horn tradition into an argument by calling it the 'ongoing christian narrative'!
The most damaging however you have identified, and they are about control and making people feel pushed out. Reading Lewis' depiction of NICE in 'That Hideous Strength' is an insight as to how language and perceptions of others can be used to manipulate and control.
So my vote is for 'in Leadership'. What does it mean when we are 'in Leadership'. Is it a secret club (sometimes)? Is it a magical ontological state of grace that some can enter or are even born with?
Even Quaker's in the UK have 'Weighty Friends'. And 'True Ministry'. Makes people calling me Father (which is part of the Anglican tradition) seem fairly mild. In the CofE the culture is not so much 'Father/Mother' knows best, but rather 'Father/Mother' ought to do that. Which is doubly dis-empowering.
A Reformed Catholic understanding of leadership is representative. Of People. Of Church. Of Christ. Anyone can do so. And particular people are set apart to do so in a specific functional sense. It starts with the Basin and Towel.
"The BLOOD of Jesus" is a very difficult hurdle to get over with uninitiated people. And I think my least favorite is "just believe" as these days "believing" has so much more to do with mental assent to certain propositions intimating cognitive acceptance as opposed to simple trust in what it appears Jesus was really most concerned about; living here on earth today with our primary focus being both individual and communal transformatoin into the likeness of God which most seem to think is best manifested in love toward God, others, self, and creation.
"Waiting on the Lord"
"The Bible says"
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