Episode 659: Choosing a church name is like picking an outfit you’re going to wear for the rest of your life. Host Clint Clifton discusses the pro and con arguments for six categories of church names with Todd Adkins, director of leadership development at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, and Jessica Thompson, director of operations for the New City church planting network.

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You should probably go wherever you’re going to plant the church and talk to a couple of people, introduce the name to them and see what they think. What you think is awesome, they may have some reason why it’s not. @ToddAdkins

People try to be so creative in coming up with the church name and often the names are just too creative. So we try to encourage balance between uniqueness and clarity. – Jessica Thompson

Before you get too far down the line, find out whether your web domain is available. @ToddAdkins

The name of the church is going to determine if somebody is likely to visit, based on the impression they get from the name. @ClintJClifton

If it is a fairly common name for a church, you need to check to see if there’s already a church there with that name. @ClintJClifton

Church plants move around so much these days and most don’t settle in the place where they get started. @ClintJClifton

Being too specific in terms of a Scripture verse could limit non-Christians understanding it. – Jessica Thompson

You can Google it and what comes up in your search is pivotal. – Jessica Thompson

I like telling a story with your name and using a descriptive word. – Jessica Thompson

A denominational name is safe, but you also limit yourself. Know your audience and what you’re looking for. – Jessica Thompson

I don’t want to confuse the name of the church with something that is going to be announced on the radio as “This Sunday at the Carson Fairgrounds.” I don’t know whether it’s going to be Bigfoot and Gravedigger or a solid worship experience and fun for your children. @ToddAdkins

I’d probably choose something kind of classic, like some nice blue jeans that can fit in multiple contexts and I’m going to feel comfortable in. @ClintJClifton

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