Pastor Sid's Journal

What's in a Name?

I must admit that even I was confused in the first few months of pastoring in Port Alberni as to what the name of our church is. Documents in the last 15 years had all sorts of different names; The Port Alberni Christian Reformed Church, The Alberni Valley Christian Reformed Church, The 1st Christian Reformed Church of Port Alberni, The Christian Reforemd Church of Port Alberni and there may be more floating around out there. I discovered that the official name is "The 1st Christian Reformed Church of Port Alberni." I remember discussing the issue at council and we said let's stick to the official name, but a year later the issue hadn't resolved itself and as we began talking about a new church sign we realized that the time may have come to really discuss the issue. So I guess the question is, "What's in a name?"

Historically speaking "The 1st CRC of Port Alberni" might have acurately displayed our affiliation, anticipation of growth (1st presumes more) and where we minister. All of these things may be acurate and growth did take place but the church expanded fascilities rather then start a second church. However after more than 50 years one has to ask, when people think of this church in the community, what do they think of? I'm not going to lie to you, most often people aren't sure what we're about or we are simply "The Dutch church." Now I may be proud of the heritage we come out of but one only need go through our church directory to realize that ours is not simply "The Dutch Church." But what does our name communicate? If you're from the reformed heritage it may speak volumes about who we are and how we minister in this community, but if you're not does our name communicate anything in particular, does it evoke certain thoughts to anyone passing by?

I'm often struck by how important names are in the Bible.

* Genesis 17:5 - "No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."

* Genesis 32:38 - “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”

* Genesis 32:30 - "So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

* 1 Samuel 1:20 - "So in the course of time Hannah (which means grace) conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

* 1 Samuel 7:12 - "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.”

* John 1:42 - "And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter (Rock))."

and of course we must include

*Luke 1:31 - "You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. (which means God saves)"

Names are often more than a title, they communicate something. So what do we as a congregation want to communicate? If we could choose any name, what would we choose? I've been thinking about it and have found this to be a difficult thing to do. But after much thought...

drum roll please...

I think we should be called..."The Lord's Prayer Christian Reformed Church" or "The Lord's Prayer - A Christian Reformed Church." Now I am fully aware that this will not likely be the name, but after doing our summer series on the Lord's Prayer, I have to say that if I could communicate anything about who we desire to be, that's it. It's provokative, gives vision, raises questions, and embraces heritage. I also hope this suggestion gets the "idea ball" rolling.

The tough part of discussing a name change or making any change for that matter is that for every 10 people, you'll get 10 opinions. I hope as this discussion begins at our next congregational meeting (November 19), that we will be thoughtful, graceful and patient in listening to each others ideas. Whatever is decided won't please everyone, but as a community of believers we all recognize that the work of God's church isn't simply about getting "my" way. Let's have fun with this discussion and get excited about the future of this church and the ministry God is calling it to in the Alberni Valley.