Christianese is:
the terms and jargon used within Christian circles. It is characterized by the use of certain catchphrases in ways that may only be understood within Christian circles.
Growing up in church, and pastoring churches for over 20 years, it’s become easy for me to speak Christianese without a second thought. But I can also spot it a mile away. That’s because Christianese is valuable in communicating between believers, but can also be a very dangerous thing – especially for children.
In fact, I’ve found that if I’m not diligent as a parent, Christianese can easily poison my kids.
What I mean is this: it’s easy to learn how to speak the verbiage, and therefore feel a “part of the club,” without it making any difference in your life.
So, if your kids are going to avoid being poisoned by Christianese, it’s going to take YOU, a diligent parent, helping them know the reality underneath the words…
So, for this post I want to list some Christianese words and phrases that your kids need to UNDERSTAND, not just know how to speak.
Christianese is a double-edged sword.
It’s great to have some common language that we can all use to express the important aspects of our faith and the life of faith we live together. But it can also lull us into thinking we are more mature than we are. Very few of us live up to what we know… and James says that’s not a good place to be (James 1:22). So, work on it… for yourself and with your kids alongside. Don’t let Christianese poison your kids.
I can tell I’m going to have to do a follow up post (or two or three) to this one… there’s so many words we need to make sure our kids are getting right.
Here’s a hilarious video about Christianese, a good natured mocking of some of the things we say as believers in Christ. I hope it gives you a chuckle and that you can have the humility to laugh at yourself in it.













To be totally honest …Christianese bothers me. I’m not saying it’s wrong or evil. But it’s way overused.
The non-Christian, baby Christian and our young children are not better educated or drawn to Christ by the lingo’ unless we take the time to explain our words and phrases as we go. (As you’ve done here Carey)
Like your daughter Carey, my children have never been shy to ask, “What does that mean” & my gift of teaching has always promoted me to try to answer that question before it’s asked.
Now that my kids are both 14 they’re quick to point out, “Yeah, you already explained that when we were five” 🙂
I’ve seen Christians use Christianese when speaking to individuals who’ve never stepped into a Church & never heard the name of #Jesus Christ. This same approach to speaking with our children about the Gospel is just as unproductive,….. counterproductive is a more accurate word.
Thanks for this article Carey. I’ll be sharing it in a Facebook group.