Language gaps

Posted on by albrooke

Pastoral Prayer 05/31/2026

I wonder whether you come across online slang words and nervously look them up to find out what they mean. “mog,” “merk,” “looksmaxxing.” Priscilla and I were disagreeing the other day about whether “tradwife” is always disparaging.

Language is always changing, and one of the hardest things as we grow older is to keep up with the language. American English just slowly changes out from under us, and in 30 years things can become very different. This can happen in the church and it can happen when the church speaks to the world.

The changes are sometimes the way a group differentiates itself, and it is, in fact, kind of ridiculous for outsiders to use the slang when they are not part of the group.

Or new words may be a way of expressing ideas that don’t fit in the old vocabulary. Though God’s truth does not change, what seems critical and how it is explained does change.

When I was a young Christian in say 1973, I recall two tracts, one called “Jesus didn’t have long hair” (Whaaat?) and one titled “Mary didn’t wear pants” (Okaaaay). I guess the first one was a reaction to the ’60s and I don’t know the second was a reaction to . . . the ’40s?

I don’t think those tracts are particularly relevant today. Maybe the issues are still important – we still discuss gender roles – but those tracts no longer communicate a serious message to most people. The writers were speaking a different language to a different world.

Frederick Buechner used to say that the preacher – the person charged with the responsibility of communicating God’s truth – can’t just speak the old language loudly, distinctly and slowly:

Unfortunately, the only language people really understand is their own language, and unless preachers are prepared to translate the ancient [truths] into it, they might as well save their breath.

I think that’s right.

Really, sometimes it is hard to want to learn a new language, a new culture, a new way of translating the old truths into words that people who aren’t already on the inside can comprehend. It is hard to care like Jesus cared.

As a child of the ’70s, I need to learn a new language don’t I? Only then will I be able to speak the ancient truths to those who only speak “2026.” But that’s okay, I belong to a God who delights to have his children speak in tongues that can be understood by those on the outside. Think of Pentecost.

Let’s pray about that, today.

Holy Father,

    you do not change,

          your truth does not change,

                  your grace does not change.

You have shown us your truth in your word and you have shown us grace in the Cross and you have charged us with the responsibility of speaking that unchanging truth to our quickly-changing world.

But, honestly, I don’t always love people enough to want to learn their language. I am exhausted from the need to learn the new syntax, the new vocabulary, the new grammar. There are probably others like me here.

We ask that you teach us to love the world enough to learn the new languages.

We hear people cry out for justice, let us speak the words of the prophet

let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream,

in their language. For we know that you are a God of justice – you are the only source of justice – and you will make things right.

We hear people cry out for inclusion, let us speak the words of the apostle

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

Let us speak the language they can hear. For we know that you are a God who calls all people to yourself without regard for any distinctions of gender or race or wealth or anything else at all.

We hear people call for peace, let us speak the words of Jesus:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Let us say the ancient truth in words they comprehend. For we know that you are a God who offers the only peace and rest that there is.

You did not wait for us to learn your language, you did not wait for us to reform ourselves, you did not expect us to come to you. You came to us.

Teach us to carry your truth to the world you love.

Teach us to love like you love.

Teach us to speak the language of the world you call.

Amen.