Jargon is a funny thing. We all use it. When you’re around your co-workers, friends, or family, you will probably use words that you and your group know but others don’t know. The problem with jargon is a root problem with effectiveness. The problem is you’re not communicating well with your target audience. If you’re using jargon that your target audience doesn’t know, you’re not communicating effectively.

I read a good article about one way to handle jargon by defining your jargon. They suggest to identify your own jargon then define those terms on your website (and it makes good eNewsletter fodder too!).

For ministry, there are many terms I call “Christianese” — words that Christians use all the time and expect others to know what we’re talking about. A good article that addresses this at length about Christian jargon.

Now, there is one time that jargon works for you. Remember, it’s about your target audience. If you are working with a group of people that have their own jargon, then you should learn to use it. Here’s a fun example of how jargon could be used.