Speak Freddish: How Fred Rogers Communicated God’s Love

The recent documentary film of Fred Rogers better known to his fans as, “Mr. Rogers,” was a box office success. It captured Roger’s love for mankind and his pastoral heart to reach all with the love and story of Jesus. Two of his writers Barry Head and Arthur Greenwald lovingly recall how they coined the term “Freddish” to parody how Fred dissected words in scripts to communicate effectively and non-threatening to kids.

In fact, Head and Greenwald actually created a manual in 1977 after working with him for 10 years called, “Let’s Talk about Freddish.” There were nine rules showing how precise Fred was about getting the words just right. The writers went on to say that, “Rogers brought a very detailed – granular dissection of his words and phrasing especially when it concerned bigger messages that his show would send. “ 

The story of who Jesus is a big message. Researchers and educators say the average American reads today at a fifth grade level and knowing that Millennials (many of whom were raised watching Mr. Rogers) are focused on safety issues, I wondered if we could possibly speak the Freddish language and share Jesus to our present culture looking for simplicity and clarity. Something that Mr. Rogers wasn’t able to openly do on a very secular PBS Network. 

Freddish Rule One Stated:“State the idea you wish to express as clearly as possible, and in terms preschoolers can understand.”  Example “It is dangerous to play in the street.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: We live in an unsafe world caused by a sickness called sin. 

Freddish Rule Two Stated:“Rephrase in a positive manner.”  “It is good to play where it is safe.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: We can’t stop the sickness that has infected the world, but there is a way to be safe and not be afraid.

Freddish Rule Three Stated:“Ask your parents where it is safe to play.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: (This is a hard one as many trust no one – not even their parents. But recent Pew statistics found that Americans still say they believe in God or at least a higher power they call God. So… )“God, our heavenly Father, who loves you as His own child and who made you along with your parents wants you to be safe. God and your parents knew you’d be scared so God’s heavenly son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to teach us all how to be safe. 

Freddish Rule Four Stated: Rephrase your idea to eliminate all elements that could be considered prescriptive, directive, or instructive. In the example, that’d mean getting rid of “ask.” “Your parents will tell you where it is safe to play.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: Your parents may have had personal conversations with God sometimes called praying. When you pray or talk to God He will tell you how Jesus who came to keep you healthy and safe from sin.   

Freddish Rule Five Stated: Rephrase any element that suggests certainty. “That’d be “will.”  “Your parents can tell you where it is safe to play.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: Your parents may have had personal conversations with God sometimes called praying. When you pray or talk to God He can tell you how Jesus who came to keep you healthy and safe from sin.   

Freddish Rule Six Stated:Rephrase your idea to eliminate any element that may not apply to all children. Not all children know their parents.  “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: Your favorite pastor, minister, priest, or other clergy leaders may have had personal conversations with God sometimes called praying and they can tell you about how Jesus can keep you healthy and safe too.

Freddish Rule Seven Stated: Add a simple motivational idea that gives preschoolers a reason to follow your advise. “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is good to listen to them.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: Your favorite pastor, minister, priest, and other clergy leaders may have had personal conversations with God sometimes called praying and they can tell you about how Jesus can keep you healthy and safe. It’s good to listen to them.

Freddish Rule Eight Stated: Rephrase your new statement, repeating the first step. “Good” represents a value judgment. “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is important to try and listen to them.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: Your favorite pastor, minister, priest, and other clergy leaders may have had personal conversations with God sometimes called praying and they can tell you about how Jesus can keep you healthy and safe. It’s important to try to listen to them.

Freddish Rule Nine Stated: Rephrase your idea a final time, relating to some phase of development a preschooler can understand. “Your favorite grown-ups can tell you where it is safe to play. It is important to try to listen to them, and listening is an important part of growing.”

Freddish on the story of Jesus: Your favorite pastor, minister, priest, and other clergy leaders may have had personal conversations with God sometimes called praying and they can tell you about Jesus. It’s important to try to listen because listening is an important way you can begin to hear God for yourself and can learn to be healthy and safe in this world. 

How will you share Jesus? Speak the language. 

I Corinthians 14: 10-11, (NIV) “Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.”