The church is a community formed by the Word, say the opening words of John’s Gospel. God’s Word and Jesus’ words reveal not only who God is, but who and whose we are.
The words that we use to speak and write to one another should receive thoughtful selection. Peter Marty, editor of The Christian Century, suggests in September’s issue several words and phrases that belie the sense of belonging that is vital to a faith community. Among the words that Marty would ban use in church are visitor, family, and the phrase "join us."

Use guests, not visitors. Fans of the visiting high school football team sit in a small set of bleachers away from the cheering home team fans. In most settings, visitors don’t enjoy the full set of privileges or responsibilities as members do.

You can sing “We are fam-i-ly” in the company of Pirate fans, but don’t refer to Westminster as a family. Peter Marty explains, “Families are closed social units.…

[F]amilies have scores of customs and conventions that aren’t always obvious or welcoming to newcomers.” Jesus taught his disciples that following him would call them into a life larger than their families.

Instead of “Join us for,” Marty suggests that we try a more open invitation for all to “Join in” an activity. “Join us” cultivates a feeling of clubbiness.

Christian community isn’t the same as community defined by our culture, so we need to be careful not to borrow vocabulary from our culture that can misrepresent what Christian community is all about. Culture values selection and elitism. Christianity welcomes us all, just as we are. Belonging is not something that we bestow upon “visitors” who present themselves for membership. Christian community envisions the forever realm of God into which Jesus ushers us all.