In my article this week I’d like to make an attempt to clarify my comments in recent messages about changing the name of American Reformed Church. A few weeks ago I shared with you that the Consistory has spent time this year reflecting on our effectiveness of developing passionate disciples filled with the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word who effectively make followers of Jesus who live, lead, and love like him.
In order for ARC to thrive in the future, I suggested that we must make a radical adjustment in our understanding of who we are and what God is calling us to do. And the reason I made such a suggestion is because, like in most Reformed churches, many ARC members have been deceived into thinking you can be Christian without actually following Jesus in mission. And the result is ARC has a reputation for being much more alive than it really is.
One phrase in the Ridder Church Renewal process that keeps haunting me is, “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.” Now I realize we might all agree in concept that our one end game is to join in God’s redeeming mission, however we deeply resist making any significant changes that would actually move us in that direction.
And so in order to help us see our mission differently, I feel it might be time to change the name of our church. If you think about it, there is power in a name. There are many examples in scripture of when God changed the name of a person indicating a new direction in their life. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, Jacob became Israel, and after receiving a revelation from God that Jesus was the Messiah, Simon’s name was changed to Peter.
When engaging the Jewish side of his family Saul used his name Saul, but when the focus of his ministry turned to the Gentiles, he chose to use the name Paul. Paul didn’t want something from his past to hinder the effectiveness of his new mission. And after Jesus died and was resurrected, his followers were no longer known for practicing Judiasm, but rather become known as followers of The Way,
Friends, we live in a racially different culture than 60 years ago. The reason charter members chose American Reformed Church was to differentiate themselves from the Dutch or Netherlands Reformed Church, and to inform those with a reformed background where they were meeting. Neither of those two concerns is relative today. Yes, we praise God for how he expanded his kingdom over the past 60 years, however by keeping the name American Reformed Church we mentally stay stuck in the past.
In addition to helping us remain in the past, I believe the name of our church actually hinders many people from checking us out. I’ve had many people ask me how the American Reformed denomination is different than RCA or CRC, or ask, “Reformed from what?”
Now I realize we don’t have to change the name of our church in order to begin living more faithfully into our calling. And yes, we can make minor changes in how we do Sunday School, in promoting Life Groups, and in adding a mission or missionary to support; however, until we make a radical corporate decision to begin thinking about ourselves differently, I’m concerned ARC will just keep doing what we’re doing and keep getting what we’re getting.
So again here’s the point, if God is doing a new thing in our midst, what new name would he give us that would help inspire us to more effectively and faithfully live into our calling? Oh, and by the way, according to Revelation 2:17, one day we’ll all be getting a new name!! Hey, how about that? “Nike Church,” the Greek word Nike means overcomer!!!
Mike Altena