Terms starting with S

A ritual Christians believe carries God's grace through a physical sign — water, bread and wine, oil. Catholics and Orthodox count seven; most Protestants count two.

In Catholic and Orthodox use, a person officially recognized as holy and in heaven, who can be asked to pray for you. In the New Testament — and Protestant use — every Christian.

The main room where a church worships. "Sanctuary" signals a traditional church; "auditorium" or "worship center" signals a modern one. In Catholic use, the sanctuary is specifically the area around the altar.

Having become a Christian — trusting Jesus for forgiveness and being rescued from sin and its consequences.

The Bible — the collection of books Christians hold to be inspired by God and authoritative for faith and life. "Scripture" is the reverent word for it.

A phase of life — "a hard season," "a season of waiting" — understood as temporary and, in some way, God's timing. Duration unspecified.

Someone exploring Christianity who hasn't committed to it — the person a church hopes will walk in the door on Sunday.

Graduate school for pastors, priests, and ministers — usually a three-year Master of Divinity in Bible, theology, church history, and pastoral skills.

The talk the pastor or priest gives in a service, usually explaining and applying a Bible passage. "Homily" is the Catholic and Orthodox term and tends to be shorter; "message" is the modern evangelical one.

Leading by serving — putting the people you lead first, doing the humble tasks, and using authority for others' good rather than your own — modeled on Jesus washing His disciples' feet.

A church gathering for worship — typically on Sunday morning — with singing, prayer, scripture, a sermon, and sometimes communion, following a set order.

A one-armed hug from the side, keeping bodies apart — once taught in youth groups as the "appropriate" way for boys and girls to hug, and now mostly a joke Christians tell about themselves.

Anything that falls short of God's goodness — wrong actions, attitudes, or the underlying human condition of being turned away from God.

A short prayer some Christians say to mark the moment they commit to Jesus — admitting sin, asking forgiveness, and asking Him to take charge of their life. Often led line by line by a pastor or friend.

Falling backward, usually during prayer with laying on of hands, understood in charismatic churches as being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit's presence.

A regular gathering of roughly 6–15 people from a church who meet, often in someone's home, to talk about the Bible, pray for each other, and build friendships.

Teaching considered correct, healthy, and faithful to the Bible. "Unsound" is the polite theological word for teaching that isn't.

Two related phrases. "Speak life" means say encouraging, hopeful, building-up words; "speak truth" means say the honest, hard thing someone needs to hear — ideally "in love."

Praying or speaking in a language the speaker never learned, understood in Pentecostal and charismatic churches as a gift of the Holy Spirit.

A solo or small-group song performed during the service — as opposed to congregational singing — often during the offering or before the sermon.

The belief that there's an unseen conflict between God's kingdom and evil spiritual forces that touches everyday life, and that Christians are in it — fought with prayer, scripture, and faithfulness.

Managing money, time, abilities, and the earth as things that belong to God and are entrusted to you. Also, in practice, the name churches give the annual giving campaign.

A persistent sin, fear, lie, or destructive pattern that has become spiritually entrenched — hard to break because it's dug in.

Bible classes held at church on Sunday — for children during or before the service, and for adults in age- or topic-based groups.

How many missionaries and ministry workers fund their salaries — by asking friends, family, and churches to commit to regular monthly gifts.