DIRECTIONS FOR POSTING COMMENTS:
1) In order to keep our discussion confined to a more objective plane, please consider the final list of names according to the criteria from which they were chosen (see below). 2) Please indicate your name when posting. 3) Please approach each other and this process with grace and charity!
CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING A NAME:
1. Does the name accurately or effectively portray the essence of our MISSION: partnering with God who, through the Son and the Spirit, is working tirelessly to put the world to rights?
2. Is the name COMPELLING? Does it make you wake up and think?
3. Is the name UNIQUE? Does it stand out from other churches/ministries in our area?
4. Is the name TIMELESS? Is this going to be a good name in 50 years? Will it stand the test of future changes in strategy, leadership, location, etc.
5. Is the name APPROPRIATE? Are we free to use it and is it free from negative connotation?
TOP THREE FINALISTS:
Echo Christ Community:
Echo is defined as “the reflection of a sound source.” Taken into the context of the church, we are reminded that, as disciples, we are called to echo the voice of God. This rich metaphor resonates with the Missional idea that the church must be a place that hears the story of God and then echoes the story of God in fresh and creative ways. Echo captures the movement of the good news of God transmitting and resonating like sound waves, first to our community, and then into the culture at large.
Missio Dei:
Missio Dei is Latin for “Mission of God.” This name captures the essence of mission as the calling of our church. To be a part of the missio dei is to be caught up in the mission of God as God puts the world back together again. Missio Dei has a sort of timelessness and weightiness that hints at the vastness of the future mission of the church as it connotes an ancient grounding. The Latin signals a bit of mystery that befits our style of worship—low lights, candles, etc. This unique name will be a good conversation starter regarding the mission of our church.
Redemption Church:
The redemption of humankind and the entire cosmos is at the heart of the good news of God. To take up the word “redemption” as a moniker for a church would be a positive affirmation of our mission as a church. We see ourselves as participating with God’s tireless efforts toward redeemed lives, redeemed marriages, redeemed communities, redeemed social systems, etc. The word redemption has a wide range of meanings and is easily recognizable as a church name. It fits well with our central mission of putting the world to rights.
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2 comments:
Ok, I'll jump first. The more I think about these names, the more I settle on Echo Christ Community. I feel it really gets to the core of who we are striving to be and should always be the goal. A couple reasons besides the meaning stuck out to me as well:
1. Unique but clear meaning behind the name. I like the idea of a conversation starting but I'd love people driving by to understand who we are without a conversation.
2. I leaned toward Redemption at first but also found that there were quit a few churches with redemption in their name.
3. Domain name availability.
I have to say I love that this was structured as it has been. The timeline was set and process defined. I love the direction!
My top choice is Echo Christ Community followed closely by Missio Dei. Redemption doesn't really do much for me.
I am pulled to Echo because of the definition as well as the focus it can bring to our community...a community who desires and is committed to the idea of being a reflection of Christ in the world.
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