Glossary of Clean Roots

What these words meant before titles, robes, and rank.

This glossary strips each term back to its original meaning — the simple, human sense each word carried before institutions turned them into status markers. These are the roots. The rest is noise.
Preach
Voice
Latin: praedicare Core: speak out, make known
Originally: anyone who spoke truth openly, in public. No pulpit required.
Essence: a clear voice, not a special role.
Pastor
Shepherd
Latin: pastor Core: shepherd
A person who walks with others, not above them; guidance and care, not control.
Essence: presence and protection, not rank.
Reverend
Respect
Latin: reverendus Core: worthy of respect
Not a title you claim, but a description others give when your word is steady and your life is clean.
Essence: integrity recognized by others.
Apostle
Sent
Greek: apostolos Core: one who is sent
A traveler with a message, walking a path they did not invent but accepted.
Essence: movement with purpose, not a throne.
Prophet
Truth-teller
Greek: prophētēs Core: one who speaks forth
Not a fortune-teller, but someone who says the needed thing at the needed time.
Essence: courage in speech, not prediction.
Disciple
Learner
Latin: discipulus Core: learner, student
A person committed to learning a way of life, not just agreeing with ideas.
Essence: practice, not passive following.
Minister
Servant
Latin: minister Core: servant, helper
The opposite of an “important person”: one who lowers themselves so others can stand.
Essence: service as the center, not status.
Deacon
Table-service
Greek: diakonos Core: one who serves at the table
Originally: the person who made sure everyone was fed and no one was overlooked.
Essence: practical care, not board membership.
Rabbi
Teacher
Hebrew: rabbi Core: my teacher
A relational word: the one who teaches me, not an abstract authority figure.
Essence: shared learning, not distance.
Saint
Wholeness
Latin: sanctus Core: set apart, made whole
Not flawless or elite, but someone whose life is being shaped toward wholeness.
Essence: direction of growth, not perfection.
Ego
I / Self
Latin: ego Greek: egō Core: I, the one who speaks
Originally: the simple “I” behind the words, not pride or self-importance.
Essence: the clean self that stands behind its word.

The Thread Running Through All of Them

Every word on this page began as a task, a character trait, a way of walking, a relationship, or a service.

None began as a badge. None began as a ladder. None began as a claim to importance.

They were about speaking truth, walking with others, living with integrity, going where you are sent, learning, serving, teaching, healing, and helping.

All we have is our intuition and trust of the moral compass.