#20 When is a bread roll not a bread roll?

On being a disciple and translating the good news

So this week I engaged with a Training Workshop focused on navigating difference. During one of the icebreaker activities, an image of a “bread roll” was displayed on the screen, and the facilitator posed this seemingly simple question to the group:

"What do you call one of these?"

Within five seconds, chaos ensued.

Passionate responses varied from roll to cob and barm to batch. The team descended into regional sub-arguments that led to a lack of focus for the rest of the session. Who would have thought that something so basic could tear us apart like fresh bread?

I say Bread roll, You say ______________

Apparently, the name for these fluffy dough items differs depending on where you are in the UK. If you're from Yorkshire, it's often called a Bap or Barm. In the Midlands, it's referred to as a cob, unless you're from the West Midlands, where it's called a batch. The confusion grows when you travel further north and find yourself enjoying a Stottie (Newcastle), a Teacake (North West), or a Scuffler (Liverpool).

Can you imagine Jesus trying to instruct his disciples to feed 5,000 Brits with five barm’s and two fishes?

Each person has a subjective lens of personal experiences that shape how the words they hear are interpreted. Our words possess multiple meanings and nuances, depending on the context in which they are used. Nothing exists in a vacuum.

This “Bread Roll Barrier” resonates strongly when it comes to talking with others about our faith.

As an example take the word "Church." When I say Church, what comes to mind for you?

• For some it is an ancient building with a spire and a cross.

• For others it is a loving caring community that feels like a family.

• Many see it as the last place they would ever consider finding God.

Negative experiences with individuals or institutions can lead to words being interpreted in totally different ways.  It is so important we never assume we are automatically on the same page.

I say Jesus, You say ______________

More importantly, when I say Jesus, what comes to your mind?

As someone who grew up in the church community, my association with the word Jesus is positive, evoking a sense of gratitude and grace. I often forget that for many, the name Jesus is heard only as a swear word. This word “Jesus” holds a different meaning for those who have only ever googled him to find that he is that white guy dressed like a Jedi.

Jesus often gets mixed reviews in today’s culture depending on a person’s first impression of him.

For instance, research by Talking Jesus revealed that 40% of adults in the UK were not aware that Jesus was a real historical person. Furthermore, among those who recognise Jesus as a historical figure, 30% view him as a prophet or spiritual leader rather than as God.

The research also indicates that those outside the church commonly describe Jesus as loving, spiritual, and peaceful, leaving room for open discussion. It's crucial to recognise that someone else's starting point regarding Jesus can greatly differ from our own.

Another recent study by Barna called The Open Generation reveals that knowledge of Christ varies hugely among teens, both on a global scale, and at a national level here in the UK. 

“Globally, teens believe Christ represents love, hope, care, generosity and trustworthiness. Christian teens in the United Kingdom tend to align with these views and describe him in agreeable and comforting terms. Christian teens in the United Kingdom are also less likely than Christian teens worldwide to say Jesus was a miracle worker, that he was raised from the dead or that he will return one day. This hints at a ‘partial gospel’ that is common- place among teens, even Christian ones, globally.”

Barna Open Generation Research

Leaving Breadcrumbs…

Exploring how people outside our own Christian bubble perceive Jesus should profoundly impact how we engage in conversations about Him.

Here are five quick-fire tips that will prevent your future discussions about the gospel from going stale:

1. Start with what they know: A simple question about prior knowledge can reshape an entire conversation. This requires active listening.

2. Never assume a shared starting point: Instead of assuming familiarity with Christian concepts, we should aim to express ourselves in clear and relatable language that resonates with where a person is at.

3. Strip away the jargon: Relying on Christian buzzwords, religious terminology, and jargon will massively hinder effective communication. Half the Christian’s don’t understand it let alone those outside of Church.

4. Tell stories rather than make statements: Where people sometimes fail to grasp the meaning of an individual phrase, they will nearly always relate to a real-life story.

5. Use analogies and metaphors: Jesus described himself as the “bread of life” for a reason. He knew that people might argue over the semantics about the title of a roll but they would universally understand that bread represented daily sustenance for life.

This approach requires an intentional effort to listen, empathise, and understand the unique perspectives of others. Yet by doing so, we can bridge the gap and create an atmosphere where meaningful discussions about who Jesus really is can take place.

While we are on a roll (excuse the pun) let me leave you with one more tip:

Before we give the right answers we have to learn to ask the right questions. 

Otherwise we may fail to offer fresh bread to those who are spiritually hungry.

Ps: It is 100% called a bun. Tell me in the comments if you agree?