What’s an acronym or an abbreviation between friends?

At a recent church meeting where we were discussing plans for now Kalantha has left and the process for finding a new vicar (more about that in the next issue!), someone (quite rightly!) suddenly said, “Excuse me, but what do all these initials mean?”. Most people in the room agreed with her! There had been an assumption (always dangerous, I know!) that people would be familiar with terms like PCC, ALM, PTO, SSM etc (see glossary below). We all felt so glad that the person had felt they could ask the question. From then on, every effort was made to make the terminology used more accessible and inclusive. 

This last week, I was taking part in a Deanery (there we go again, simply means ‘area’) meeting where we were thinking about the subject of ‘Accessibility’ in the church generally, but particularly around many barriers that might exist e.g. around mobility, audibility, visibility, neurodivergence and many other issues. Again, we realised that, as churches, we want to take all this seriously and be the kind of places that are really warm, welcoming environments in which everyone and their needs are catered for. We do need help though, and I’d encourage you to feel totally free to engage with us in the West Worcester Beacon parishes if you think there are ways in which we could become more accessible for people. Be like the person who asked the question in the meeting!

I know that society as a whole is laden with abbreviations, initialisms, acronyms and shortened forms of communicating i.e. ’text speak’ if you like e.g. GPS, ASAP, ICYMI, FOMO, IMO…* Some might consider it a laziness that has crept into our language, but it can have more of an uncomfortable edge to it if it verges on exclusivity and can make people feel that their lack of understanding affects their sense of belonging. 

In the early days of Christianity, when fear of being found out meant that believers had to meet in secret and communicate in codes and symbols, the symbol of a ‘fish’ an ICHTHUS (IXOUS) was used and often drawn in the sand to let other followers of ’The Way’ know who they were. The letters are the initial letters of the Greek words for Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour. So using initialisms is nothing new and in some countries it is still dangerous to publicly profess faith in Jesus Christ. Prayers for the persecuted church is on the agenda of the churches around here. 

Please feel free to get in touch with any comments or questions, but, in the meantime…

TTFN!

Revd Paul

ALM = Authorised Lay Minister

A trained, baptized layperson in the Anglican Church, specifically commissioned by a bishop to lead in areas like pastoral care, worship, evangelism, or youth work.

LLM/Reader = Licensed Lay Minister

A trained, episcopally licensed layperson in the Anglican Communion who leads worship, preaches, teaches, and enables mission in church and society.

PTO = Permission to Officiate

A Bishop's authorisation for ordained, often retired, clergy to minister without a formal licence.

SSM = Self Supporting Minister

Ordained, licensed clergy who serve without a stipend, often balancing ministry with secular employment or other responsibilities.

*

GPS = Global Positioning System

ASAP = As Soon As Possible

ICYMI = In Case You Missed It

FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out

IMO = In My Opinion