SEEKER FRIENDLY

[see-ker frend-lee]

adjective
-appealing to those not normally affiliated with the church or Christianity
-emphasizing reaching those outside the normal scope of the church

Let's use it in a sentence!
Replacing the communion wine and wafers with Red Bull and Doritos is just one more way the new church is trying to be seeker friendly.

Secular Synonyms
none

Find it in the Bible
This term does not appear in the Bible.

Fun Fact
Seeker friendly churches can often be identified by the following:

• Their insistence that they are "not your parents' church"
• Using lesser known terms --"Christ Follower" instead of "Christian", "Gathering" instead of "Worship Service", etc.
• Absence of common Christian symbols on the exterior of their building
• Worship space more like a convention center than a cathedral
• Atmosphere reminiscent of a rock concert
• Pastors who wear designer jeans
• Large amounts of money spent on their sound system

PLANT A SEED

[plant ey seed]

verb
-to lay the groundwork that will hopefully lead someone to accept Christ at a later point

Let's use it in a sentence!
None of the children at Bible camp this week accepted Christ, but I think we were really able to plant a seed.

Secular Synonyms:
none

Find it in the Bible
Although this phrase doesn't appear in the Bible in this exact sense, it is most likely derived from the Parable of the Sower which is found in Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15 in which Jesus uses seed and types of soil as a metaphor for the word of God and the hearts of those who hear it.

Fun Fact
This is a commonly used phrase to comfort American teenagers that go on short term missions trips and do not see any immediate response to their human videos and evangelism efforts.

BACKSLIDE

[bak-slahyd]

verb
-to regress into previous sinful behaviors and bad habits

Let's use it in a sentence!
I haven't seen Peter at church in three weeks. I'm worried that he is starting to backslide.

Secular Synonyms:
Relapse (as in drug or alcohol addition)

Find it in the Bible:
This term does not appear in the Bible.

Fun Fact:
Commonly accepted evidence of backsliding includes drinking, spending time alone with a member of the opposite sex late at night, infrequent church activity attendance, vulgar language, watching "R" rated movies, spending time with non-Christian friends, listening to secular music, voting for Democrats, and reading Harry Potter.

WALK

[wawk]

noun
-spiritual life

Let's use it in a sentence!
You've seemed really down lately, Debbie. How is your walk?

Secular Synonyms:
none

Find it in the Bible
Although this term appears in the Bible, it never appears as a noun in this context

Fun Fact:
When concerned about a fellow Evangelical, this should be one of the first questions you ask.

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

[spir-i-choo-uhl   gifts]

noun
-abilities given to you by the Holy Spirit that serve a purpose in fostering spiritual growth or serving in your church

Let's use it in a sentence!
Alice always has the best dinner parties. Her spiritual gift of hospitality is obvious.

Secular Synonyms:
natural abilities, talents, skills *note that these are not true synonyms as they would not use them only in reference to how one can serve in church ministries

Find it in the Bible:
1 Cor. 12; Rom 12:6-8; 1 Pet 4:10-11;

Fun Facts:
-Lists of spiritual gifts often include those listed in the passages above as well as others that Christians believe to be spiritual gifts. They include prophecy, discernment of spirits, teaching, giving, serving, compassion, faith, healing, working miracles, knowledge, wisdom, speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues, pastoral, exhortation, evangelism, voluntary poverty, celibacy, craftsmanship/artistry, worship/music, and  interpretation of dreams.

-There are many places online to take spiritual gifts assessment tests.

-Once you know what your spiritual gifts are, it is a handy excuse for not doing other things in the church/ministry that you are less interested in. Simply tell people "That's not my spiritual gift" and you are off the hook!

CONVICTED

[kuhn-vikt-ed]

verb
-to be impressed with a heavy sense of guilt and shame

Let's use it in a sentence!
As I was praying during church today, I was really convicted about all the "R" rated movies I own.

Secular Synonyms:
Although this word can still apply in a secular sense, it is rarely used as such and even more rarely with the level of guilt that Christians associate with it.

Find it in the Bible:
When appearing in the Bible, to be convicted only refers to the act of being found guilty of and legally responsible for an action/sin. It does not appear in reference to strong personal sense of shame.

Fun Fact:
Studies seem to suggest that there is a direct correlation between the things people are convicted of and the pet issues their pastors speak against.

MK

[em-kay]

noun
-missionary's kid; common Christian abbreviation
-a child raised by missionaries, usually in another country

Let's use it in a sentence!
Tracy grew up as an MK in Ecuador.

Secular Synonyms:
missionary's kid

Find it in the Bible:
This term does not appear in the Bible

Fun Facts:
Sometimes Christians also refer to them as "third culture kids."