Tired Labels and Worn-out Wineskins

[DeWayneTN]

I thought this week's column by Lee Grady was especially insightful for the Jude2 readers. It's about church names and the labels we use that don't translate well to non-Christians.

Tired Labels and Worn-out Wineskins
Successful businesses remake themselves regularly to stay effective. Why are churches so resistant to changing the terms that define us?

Would you visit a church called The Holy Assembly of the Fire-Baptized Brethren? Probably not, because it sounds elitist, self-righteous and really old-fashioned. Your unchurched neighbors would most likely drive a few extra miles to avoid passing the place.

Yet many church names today sound almost as strange and unwelcoming. We insist on using religious vocabulary from previous centuries to define ourselves, and then we wonder why people consider us out of touch.

I realize I am grazing into sacred cow pasture when I suggest that we reevaluate the terms we love. We like our labels because we are fond of our history. But if we want to reach our culture for Christ, we had better become willing to let go of the past.

Read the rest here - http://www.fireinmybones.com/#

[HogWild]

Thanks for posting that D! I really love his editorials.

I am actually planning a series of sermons about the relevancy of our faith... That article gives me some good ideas for a launching point.

Thanks!

[PastorDaniel]

Man DeWayne...I can't believe you jumped ship...how dare you even suggest that we take the name off the church. How will anyone know that we are THE church that was prophesied about in the Bible....

Just kiddin.....those are the rants I got when we changed our name to New Life Worship Center!!

Glad none of them were local members....they were members from other local churches nearby....still gave me a headache though.