One of the most difficult decisions for anyone giving birth, whether to a new child or new church, is what to name it.  Certainly, many parents or church planters want to avoid giving their child or church a name that everyone else’s child or church has (Jacob, Emily; Grace Church), but they also don’t want to stick their child/church with a name that will invite ridicule (Cletos, Apple (oh wait…); Grassy Butte United Methodist Church of Dickinson, ND).  Let’s consider naming a church for a second.  Certainly, many churches have found that the safest thing to do is to name your church after the town or area in which you are located – like Saddleback Community Church or Willow Creek Community Church.  Safe, of course, unless you happen to live in Devils Lake, ND (home of Devils Lake United Methodist Church) or Bourbon, IN (home of Bourbon United Pentecostal Church). 

As I reflect on the recent history of new church names, it seems that in the 1980’s and 90’s there was a proliferation of new churches (including our very own) that wanted their name to communicate the excitement and newness that comes from a relationship with Jesus.  These churches chose names like New Life, New River, River of Life, New Hope, New Song, and (somewhere, I’m sure) The Singing River of New Life and Hope.  Fifteen years later, thankfully there is still something inspiring and visionary (as well as Biblical) about those names.

Nowadays, I’ve found that many new churches are choosing names that are more unique in their artsiness and symbolism.  There are churches popping up with names derived from Latin or Greek, such as Missio Dei (mission of God), Imago Dei (image of God), Poiema (masterpiece), Coram Deo (in the presence of God), Terra Nova (new ground), and Ecclesia Church (which I guess could be called “Church Church”).  Other churches have taken their name from a significant Scriptural landmark, such as Mars Hill (Paul’s speech in Athens in Acts 17), Damascus Road (Paul’s conversion in Acts 9), Solomon’s Porch (Joel 2:17, I think), Jacob’s Well (Jesus and the Samaritan woman in John 4), and Matthias’ Lot (Acts 1:26).  And then there are churches that have chosen a symbolic word or phrase, preferably from the postmodern ethos, in order to communicate a picture of who they are:  Elevation Church, Paradox Community Church, Seed Church, The Vine Church, and Vintage Faith Church. 

There is one church name, however, that seems to be popping up more than any, sort of a “New Life” for the 21st century:  Journey Church.  When I was going through my latest search for a pastoral job, there were a couple of Journey Churches that intrigued me with their vision and values to which I considered applying.  However, I had a hard time getting past the name.  I mean, I’m assuming that Journey Church is supposed to communicate “we’re all on a spiritual journey, and you are invited wherever you are along the way.”

Unfortunately, when I hear “Journey Church,” all I hear is:

“Don’t stop believing!  Hold on to that feel-ayeeyah-ing!”

We welcome you to Journey
Church with Open Arms!!!

I mean, is it only me???  When the average person hears Journey, don’t they think of “this-song-is-so-cheesy-yet-somehow-I-can’t-seem-to-change-the-station” 80’s pop?  Mullets and tight jeans?  The never-to-be-duplicated video for Separate Ways???  (forget homo erectus; the distance we’ve come as a species since this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwGdXZ6o2xs - is the greatest proof of evolution)  If I had become the pastor of Journey Church, I’m afraid I would never have been able to tell that to anyone with a straight face.  (Although I guess “Journey” is kind of appropriate since so much contemporary worship sounds like it could have been written by the band).

I’m forever yours…
faithfully

I think somebody may need to put a stop to this “Journey Church” virus.  I mean, if we allow one 80’s band to have a church named after them, what’s next?   A Flock of Seagulls Christian Fellowship?  Milli Vanilli Methodist Church?  Surely there’s a treasure trove of great church names if we dust off our record collections, right?

Top Five 80’s bands least likely
to have a church named after them

5) Wang Chung Community Church (night services only, naturally)
4) Fine Young Cannibals Episcopal Church (stay away from their home fellowships)
3) Kool & the Gang Holiness Temple (starring Pastor Kool!)
2) Bananarama Baptist Church (although wouldn’t you visit this church?)
1) Slayer Christian Fellowship (yikes)

Pastor Kool says “Let’s
celebrate Jesus this morning!
  C’mon! (Let’s celebrate)”

Before we go changing the name of our church, however, I think it’s vital to remember that in the Bible, your “name” almost always refers to your reputation.  If our reputation is one of transforming our community into a place of greater love, justice, and peace, then people will be curious what this name “NewLife” is all about.  But if our reputation becomes one of narrow-mindedness, condemnation, and separatist behavior, then it will confirm people’s worst prejudices, that evangelicals are a bunch of odd born-agains that need to keep their religion to themselves and not bother the good people of Glastonbury.

And that’s good news for Journey Church and for NewLife.  As important as it is to choose a good name for your church, in the end it is not as important as a good reputation.  With this truth in mind, let us live in such a way that we bring honor to the God who has truly brought us New Life in Jesus Christ.

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