I have written a few posts about the church that we are helping to plant in Georgetown, Texas (20-30 minutes north of Austin). A couple of weeks ago, the pastor (Whit Anderson) decided to change the name of the church from ChristChurch PCA to Christ Presbyterian Church. This came as the result of a couple of factors:
Frankly, the second bullet point above was exactly why we were a little concerned about the original name. A new church has enough challenges without being mistaken for another denomination.
We are moving forward with our plans to begin Sunday morning services on April 12th (Easter Sunday). I hope that I'm able to make it to that initial service, since our baby is due to arrive the same week. Once the baby does come, I will probably be attending with my two older kids for several weeks.
As I had indicated before, I was put in charge of the Connection Ministry, which basically helps visitors to get plugged in at the church as quickly as possible. We purchased a turnkey piece of software that will enable us to track our efforts with visitors easily, including visits to their home, phone calls, letters, etc.
We are waiting on the new logo to be designed for Christ Presbyterian Church, and I think this will be completed soon. The other ministries which have launched already are Hospitality and Outreach, both of which are vital as well.
Currently, we are meeting next to the RunTex store just south of the town square in Georgetown at 809 S. Main Street, Sunday evenings from 6-8pm. Child care is provided. On Easter Sunday, we will begin meeting in the cafetorium at Tippett Middle School, which is located on Leander Road about a half mile west of I-35 in south Georgetown.
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I have been working as a full-time Austin area Realtor since January 1997. My years of experience serve me well as the broker and co-owner of Austin Texas Homes, LLC, which began operations in 2004.
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I'm so excited for you to be involved in the adventure, sounds like it's now a well thought out name. I'll be praying for your church and all its staff Jason. May God continue to bless your life.
I will speak frankly here and you know me so I don't think you'll take this wrong, but.... why in the world would it matter if one church is mistaken for another denomination? How can any of this possibly matter in the eyes of god? This is yet another example of arbitrary borders we as people put in place that were not here before our human pettiness had a chance to take hold.
I would love to be the guest speaker at your first official sermon. It seems love and openness require a fresh reminder :)
Jason,
Why doesn't your invovlment suprise me?
Such comitments are like having a child, your hrt and life are in it for the long run.
Good luck and well done.
Bill
Just how far is it from Houston? Easter might be interesting.
Jennifer - To answer your question, the primary reason for making a distinction is so that visitors to our church know what to expect, both from a theological standpoint and with our style of worship. Although I do not feel this way, there are even some people who still think of the Church of Christ as part of the Latter Day Saints:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ
Your comment and your parting remark and about "love and openness" struck me as unnecessarily harsh, since there is nothing I've said to denote anything but the same here. ANYONE is welcome to visit our church, and they will be greeted with open arms. ANYONE. Well, I suppose that might have its limits if someone were being violent or horribly disruptive, but you understand the jist of this statement.
I would hazard a guess that some of the denominational differences don't matter at all to the God that I worship (with a big "G", incidentally, out of respect), because some differences are of a "non-salvific" nature (i.e. things that don't affect our ultimate salvation). However, there are other places where the road forks on more important matters. This is why every church has a "what we believe" page on their site and probably a printed version to give out as well.
Why not have things clear at the outset, rather than constantly having to explain it every time the name is mentioned?
Tammy - Thanks so much! I really appreciate that.
Bill - Probably 3.5 hours or so, depending on where you are coming from in the Houston area. Come on up if you want!
Jason, AWESOME!!! Best wishes to the Easter service and the planting, and oh, congrats on the coming soon baby to your brood
I certainly didn't mean to sound harsh. My point is more along the idea that making so many distinctions between people is the first brick in the walls we build between us. It doesn't seem to advance the idea that we all belong equally and are loved equally under the eyes of any worthwhile diety.
Honestly, I wish you all well in your new endeavor :)
Jason...I commend you on this monumental task. I serve on our church council and until you do, you have no idea what it involves. Good Luck!
Kim - Thanks very much!
Jennifer - Understood. I don't want to put up any arbitrary distinctions either, but I also don't want to mislead visitors and guests (or members, for that matter), nor do I want to create awkward conversations when people are talking about our new venture. I agree that all of God's children are equally loved - some choose to reject this gift, sadly. Thanks for coming back to clarify.
William - Thanks, my friend. I am one of the "trustees" for the new church, and I know that this will involve a lot of work and time to get it off the ground and headed in the right direction!
"Salvific" - are you sure you don't make these words up? I've been in churches for some 20+ years and haven't heard that one yet. Best to you and your brothers and sisters. I pray only Christ's love shines through your actions and endeavors.
As I had indicated before, I was put in charge of the Connection Ministry,
I missed that previously, but that's certainly the perfect opportunity for you.
P.S. Clarity is good. Two thumbs up on the name change.
Steve - Just to show that I didn't make it up: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/salvific. It's not used very often. Normally, it's used when we talk about things that are or are not important differences as a local church body (e.g. modern vs. traditional songs, etc.). Thanks for your prayers!
Bruce - Thanks for both of your comments. I appreciate that very much.
I am abandoning the use of a name altogether. We are one, after all. From hence forth, you may refer to me as " "
Makes 411 directory assistance a bit of a challenge, but so be it.
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