What’s in a name change?
Blog 7
By Nelson Koh
Recently, the C.A.C.V. voted for a name change from ” Chinese…” to the “Christian Alliance Church of Victoria”. The change would be subject to confirmation at the coming AGM on 31 July 2011. The church has agreed to this new name from among several other names proposed earlier for a time like this. The reason given is so that the English Congregation especially, may become more inclusive. This seems to fit in well with the overall vision for a more multi-cultural and inter-generational church, whilst still retaining the acronym, C.A.C.V.
In today’s largely post-Christian and worldly culture, the word ‘Christian’ has not and is not exactly popular with the masses. It is also not necessarily the case anymore that when an entity calls itself a church, that it is a ‘Christian’ church. Hence, one should be glad that the church has made a stand to boldly declare itself as a ‘Christian’ church in-spite of its seeming unpopularity even among some Christians.
It is important also to note that having prayed and submitted the matter to the Lord, the church can now trust that it has God’s approval. Hence, it should look at the name change soberly just as one sees how serious a name change is in the context of the bible.
Changing a name alone, however, will not be sufficient when it comes to reaching out to people from all walks of life, which is the purpose of the name change in the first place. One has to live out the new name by first embracing it and actively appropriating it in thought, word and deed. It requires a new resolve, a change in mindset and a new character, besides working together, starting with the leaders, to promote and be actively involved in fulfilling the vision.
The apostle Paul (who had his name changed from Saul) would not have been who he was unless he had actively engaged himself in bringing the gospel to the gentiles. Likewise Abraham would just remained as the ‘High Father’ instead of the ‘Father of a multitude’ if he had not taken that step of faith to move out from the Ur of the Chaldeans.
The challenge is for the leaders to respond to the church theme ‘Respond to the Call’ to take the message to every church member, such that they would in turn be inspired to run with the vision, in order to make the name change truly meaningful and hence be able to make a difference’.
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