The phrase, "Being church"

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Does anybody else tend to dislike this phrase? (Not the people saying it, but just the ‘style’ of 'we are church", etc.) Look, I’ve already seen the loss of the Oxford comma and the ‘Twitterfication’ of speech habits among young and old, but can’t we keep definite and indefinite articles around and be “THE Church” please?
 
I suppose I should be thankful they haven’t changed “The Church’s One Foundation” to “We’re Church, the one foundation”. . .yet.
 
Yes, this always has sort of annoyed me, too. It’s been around for a while. Certain circles within the Church use it more than others. They tend to do it for theological reasons that I’ve never been able to quite understand.
 
I seem to have totally missed this trend. What is it? Where is it?
 
It’s a cutsie-ism that I think is intended to make my stomach turn and eyes roll.

It’s like “at table”

Or “Lucan theology”
 
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I’m not sure where it originates from exactly. I’d be curious to know if it started with some theologian. I’ve encountered it mostly with lay Church employees of a particular theological persuasion.

There is actually a “We Are Church” movement (the founder of which was excommunicated). They originated in Germany, though, so I’m not sure if the loss of the “the” is in the original German or just a translation issue.
 
Very prevalent in the Northeast, “the home of the bean and the cod”, etc.
 
stpurl said:
Does anybody else tend to dislike this phrase? (Not the people saying it, but just the ‘style’ of 'we are church", etc.) Look, I’ve already seen the loss of the Oxford comma and the ‘Twitterfication’ of speech habits among young and old, but can’t we keep definite and indefinite articles around and be “THE Church” please?
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I hate it with a passion.

Also partly because people who use that phrase tend to be on the more heterodox side of the spectrum.
 
porthos11 said:
Also partly because people who use that phrase tend to be on the more heterodox side of the spectrum.
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Just Google “being church” catholic or “we are church” catholic, and see what pops up.
 
I have never heard that before, but it appears to be another one of those “things” that are happening with words lately.

Another example is the Kraft ad during the Super Bowl: “send us a photo of how you family.” Family is a verb now. :roll_eyes:
 
Just curious—do you also dislike Petrine, Pauline, Johannine?
 
I’ve heard it before but not in a Catholic context. I’ve heard it in regards to people who cant find a church that is a good fit and the full version was “if you cant find a church then be the church” as in read the Bible, live a good Christian life and bring Jesus to other people.
 
To be fair, I think “at table” is British usage. Like being “in hospital” or “on holiday”.
Still pukey for Americans to use it, though.
“We are church”, though. That sounds African-American to me. Another reason for libs to steal and run with it.😂
 
But not the others? Why? Genuinely curious—they’re pretty commonly used in theological discussions.
 
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