Methodist misnomers

One of the features I have experienced within over 20 years of service in the United Methodist Church is the widespread use of misnomers. Similar to the words used in political spin in secular society, they appear in the names of political caucuses as well as within legal and operational discourse. Methodist Misnomers fall into three categories: antonyms, euphemisms, and dysphemisms. Here are a few. Perhaps you know of others. Enjoy!

ANTONYMS

UM WordActual Meaning
Good NewsBad News
ConfessingAccusing
ReconcilingAgitating
CovenantSchismatic
AmicableHateful
NextFamiliar
CentralRemote
ItinerantStationed
ApportionmentAssessment
EquitableMinimum
BureaucracyDemocracy

EUPHEMISMS

UM WordActual Meaning
MissionalInstitutional
High PotentialPrivileged
Gifts and GracesSalary and Social Class
TransitionalUnemployed
ProgressiveLiberal / Antinomian / Utopian
InclusionAssimilation
EvangelicalConservative / Legalistic / Dystopian
ConnectionalHierarchal
NimbleAutocratic
LeadershipManagement
DirectorBureaucrat

DYSPHEMISMS

UM WordActual Meaning
GuaranteedEarned
BurdensomeEthical / Fair
Giving UnitHuman Being
Racial or EthnicNon-White Human Being
SegregatedUnique, Separate, or Specialized
SubsidizedFunded

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