From the Pastor's Study
From the Pastor’s Study
Church Names
May 3, 2023
Some time ago I became aware of a church which bore the name, Strict and Particular Baptist Chapel. The name was so odd that I thought it must belong to a very separatist group of Christians who had become completely disillusioned with all the other churches and decided to name themselves to be both strict in their lifestyle and particular about who was allowed to join them. I was wrong.
The name does not refer to the congregation’s relationship to the community or their lifestyle. Rather, it is a name which defines their doctrine. Particular Christians say that Jesus died for the sins of those who God intended to save, thus making his work on the cross fully successful, for all who Jesus died for will be saved. In contrast, non-particular Christians would say that Jesus died for all and all who choose to believe are saved. This particular teaching is based on Calvin’s third point, Limited Atonement, from the five points of TULIP. (Feel free to look that up.) Strict refers not to lifestyle but to the fact that this denomination permits only those who belong to their fellowship to participate in communion. In other words, the communion table is restricted or “closed,” as opposed to open and unrestricted. Baptist refers to the fact that they practice believer’s baptism only and they do not baptize infants.
It’s an odd name for a church, and for those who don’t know the history, the church appears to be harsh and uninviting. In actual fact, the Strict and Particular Baptist denomination has many of the same beliefs as more conservative Reformed churches with the exception, of course, the practice of baptism. Without knowing the history of the name, however, we might not understand what that church is all about.
Contrast this with a name of a church close to where I lived in the Philippines. Virtually all properties in the Philippines have a block wall built around them, and the members of that church, on the long white wall, had painted in large red letters the name of their church: Back to God Round the Clock Gospel Singing Tabernacle. I never did attend one of their worship services, but I have the idea that the congregation was focused much more on having dynamic worship than would our Strict and Particular brothers and sisters who tend to focus on having correct doctrine. I would be curious to know if the name they gave their church (its acronym: BtGRtCGST) was the ideal which they hoped to reach or if they actually did sing and worship “round the clock.” I didn’t live close enough to know if there were people worshipping in that church 24 hours per day and if they limited their songs to gospel songs only, so maybe it was goal they had yet to attain rather than a description of what was happening.
When Christian Reformed Churches began forming congregations in various communities, it was often the practice to name their churches after the community in which the church was found. Thus, we have Blyth CRC and Clinton CRC. Others, with high aspirations, named their church “First CRC,” hoping that someday there might be a second and even a third. Many of the traditionally named churches have changed their names, now calling themselves “Immanuel” or “Living Hope” or “Water Street” (after the street on which the church is located). Many CRCs have dropped the word, “Reformed” from their name in order to paint themselves as more of a “community” church rather than as a church which emphasizes its doctrinal distinctiveness.
Two church plants in Classis Huron have names which the members hope will describe their focus. The Journey (now closed) in Kitchener sought to portray that, as Christians, we have not arrived but are on a journey as we walk with Jesus. The Bridge in Fergus wants us to focus on the fact that they as a Christian community, through Jesus Christ, provide a way for us to know God. Faith in Jesus Christ enables us to cross the bridge that crosses over the gap between us and God.
Roman Catholic congregations often take the name of a saint as do many Anglican Churches. If we are unfamiliar with the saint (e.g. St. Anne) we will miss what that particular congregation wants to emphasize. Or sometimes it is unclear if a name (e.g. St. Thomas) refers to one of the apostles or, perhaps to Thomas Aquinas who lived in the 13th century. Names do not always reveal. Sometimes they might even obscure the purpose and goal and mission of a particular congregation.
Thus, as I was writing this, I felt the need to explain the names as I listed them. Some are obvious to us, and most of us will recognize names like Immanuel (God with us), Bethel (house of God) or Trinity and know approximately what those names mean. But to the average person in Canada today, these names hold very little meaning. Even names like The Bridge or The Journey, while seeking to be inviting and contemporary, beg significant explanation. And the name Blyth Christian Reformed Church, while it means something to those who have inside information (somewhat educated Christians) and it focuses on our particularly doctrinal emphasis, it means little to the average passerby. Names like Crosspoint or Heritage or The Lighthouse (all names of CRCs) may obscure the message of the church rather than reveal its purpose. (I find The Lighthouse to be an odd name for a church, for lighthouses are often placed in dangerous and solitary places to keep people away so that they are kept safe rather than invite them in.)
It seems that no matter what the name of the church, there is going to have to be an explanation of that name. A church cannot rely on the fact that people will know what the name means. In fact, they might often misunderstand it completely. I don’t think that the name Strict and Particular resonates too well today, but if the congregation is a vibrant worshipping community that seeks to serve the Lord faithfully and truthfully, then perhaps that name won’t be a roadblock. It’s not a name I would choose, but neither would I choose BtGRtCGST. I would, however, attend a church which proclaims God’s love in Jesus Christ and encourages its members to be faithful to their Lord and Saviour. I would attend that church regardless of its name.
Pastor Gary
