Demystifying Church Lingo: A Cheat Sheet for First-Time Visitors and Newcomers

Stepping into a church for the first time can be as exhilarating as intimidating. The experience often feels like the first day of kindergarten.

Something that can help you with that first step is understanding church lingo.

Insider jargon is not unique to churches. I remember my first corporate job out of college, where terms like “bottom line,” “quarters,” and “in the red” were baffling until I learned their meanings.

Similarly, church terminology might seem confusing at first.

To help ease your transition and avoid feeling out of place, here’s a cheat sheet to get you started:

• Saved — A Christian.
• Lost — Not a Christian.
• Fellowship — Social time after church, often with snacks.
• Tithes and Offerings — Donations to support the church.
• Communion — A ritual involving bread and grape juice to remember Jesus’ death and resurrection.
• Altar Call — An invitation at the end of a prayer service.
• Small Groups — 8–12 people meeting for Bible study and prayer.
• Testimony — Sharing your personal story of coming to faith.