Part of learning a new culture is learning a new language. Many congregations are stuck in older forms of adult education (or no adult education) because they do not have the words to communicate what is needed now to help adults grow spiritually and theologically.

A few years ago, I edited a theological document on ministry for the Episcopal Church. When I received an early draft, I noticed that all the references for "clergy" read "leaders" or "leadership" and all the references to "laity" read "service" or "servanthood." The writers had depended on old language while attempting to communicate a new culture of mutual or shared ministry. Without realizing it, they undermined their own theological message. As editor, I did something simple and revolutionary: I used the "universal search and replace" function on my Mac—"leader" was replaced by "servant" and "leadership" with "servanthood." With a stroke of the keyboard, language matched intent and the entire tone changed.

It is not so easy to change language in a congregation, but it is equally as important. If the congregation thinks of Adult Formation as "Adult Sunday School," they may think attending is for "children," and that you are offering remedial Bible training. If, however, you offer "Spiritual Formation" or "Journey in Faith" classes, you are honoring the life experience of congregants. If you are a "Program Director," people will think of adult education as a program—an optional thing to attend if one is interested in the offering (like a concert program—you don't buy tickets if you don't want to go). And, sadly, as Program Director, you are the boss—the person who manages the program and receives accolades or criticism. But if you are "Coordinator of Adult Spiritual Formation," it is immediately obvious that you serve a dynamic process, something that cannot really be directed or programmed. The emphasis has switched from management to ministry.

Think about the ways your congregation uses language to describe adult formation—and the ways it can be changed. In my congregation, I use the word, "Gathering," for the old Adult Forum—a change that indicates mutuality and community instead of argument and expertise. I also insist that the clergy team use the word, "process," instead of "program." Personally, I also resist terms like "lay ministry" and opt instead for "shared ministry."

Such changes are often slow and incremental, but they are among your most powerful tools for congregational transformation. Eventually, language creates different realities.

Questions to consider:

• How does your congregation describe Adult Formation?
  
• How do those terms establish expectations for what you do and what is offered?
  
• Ideally, how would you describe what you do—or want to do?