That language problem

 Every field has its own unique terminology, a language that marks the tribe. If you do not speak it doesn't matter much what else you can do. So, learn the language, translate, and doors once shut should open right? Maybe...

There is more to language than words, there is also grammar when writing and pronunciation when speaking. You have to know the right words, and how to use them correctly if you are going to appear as someone who should be here. A cursory scroll down the first few pages of google search will be enough to fill your pocket with terms, but knowing what to do with them is going to take a much more serious investment. 

That investment may, or may not pay off. You see for the native speaker learning the lingo does seem all that hard. These people speak it everyday, and do not stop to consider what they are saying. So, for someone to show-up speaking the language is nothing too special in their sight. Knowing is only half the battle, and sometimes the cost of winning that half makes total victory nigh impossible. 

Then there is the question of honesty. If my last job title was pastor (which at one time it was), I could say I was a manager, a researcher, a community support specialist, a communicator, a learning facilitator, and a few other things depending on the shape of my ministry. Very few know what  pastor does, changing out the term for one more familiar to the secular workplace. However, in conveying the truth of my competence I am leaving something out. I was more than I am claiming to be.And the problem goes deeper than job titles.

The language of ministry is entirely different from that of the secular workplace. We do not have customers, or clients and to call our parishioners such would be an unthinkably crass outlook. We counsel rather than consult, we measure success qualitatively rather quantitatively: well we are suppose to anyway. To alter the language seems somehow a betrayal of basic virtues. It seems dishonest as we are leaving something out, and putting something in. 

We are leaving out a wide swash of demonstrated skills and abilities. We are inserting an entirely different mindset. Altogether we are passing ourselves off as something we are not. It feels like we have to if we want to keep eating. It is sad that the divide is so great. It is sad to face an entirely new tart when you have already invested so much. It is tempting to try and gain entry to the world of gainful employment via cleverness; but this is not the way. 

I am what I am, and was what I was. I know what I am capable of, and I am not ashamed. I can speak the language, pastors have excellent language skills of necessity. I can emphasize with the language of whatever field I aim for what I have done, but I will not pretend to have something something else entirely. How will this end? I do not know.


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