The Risk of Abbreviating

from Elliott

With so many languages spoken here in South Africa we are sensitive to language uses and always concerned that we are misusing or misunderstanding something. Abbreviations and unusual technical terms can create some challenges or at least give pause for consideration.

We were taking some tables from the Port Edward Methodist Church Hall outside for Youth Group and I found something that gave me pause. On the bottom of the table for identification someone had marked “Meth Church”. I am not sure that has the same connotation it might back in the states! There is even a website in South Africa with the address ‘Meth Church’.  

I wonder if they did make the connection here, what that would mean. Some might think the Church is high on something. Worse yet, due to lack of passion, inactivity or isolation maybe it would be worse if they did not think we were high on something!