Earlier this year Topeka, Kansas changed the name of their city in an effort to be chosen as Google's new test site for a much faster experimental fiber-optic network.  They renamed their city “Google, Kansas.” Not to be outdone, the computer search engine company, Google, officially changed its company name to “Topeka” for April 1st, or “April Fools Day.”  Humorous… the Bible has plenty to say about names and signs, in reference to new names, let’s hear what Rev 2:17 (NLT) has to say:

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name..."

The new name signifies that a transformation has taken place… the old is gone, the new has begun.  [2 Cor 5:17  “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”]  Over and over in scripture God changes the name of someone or something to identify a new reality...  Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel, Cephas to Peter, and Saul to Paul, for example.

One of the actual Greek words in the New Testatment for “name” is kaleo, which comes from the root verb “to call.”  On several occasions, when God called (kaleo) someone to a new work or mission, he frequently changes their name (also from kaleo). The new name signifies a new calling, a new assignment, a new set of circumstances, or a new start.

You may be aware that Woods Chapel Church of God is considering a name change. Our hope and prayer is that the name on our sign would signify only the things we would want our community to know about us and none of the things we would consider to be wrong assumptions. 

In Isaiah Isaiah 62:1-4 (NLT) we read, "Because my heart yearns for Jerusalem, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. The nations will see your righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by your glory. And you will be given a new name by the Lord’s own mouth. The Lord will hold you in his hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God. No longer will you be called Desolate, your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you…"

I believe with all my heart that the people of W.C.C.O.G. stand at the threshold of new and exciting things… things that have the potential of impacting but scores of people beyond the walls of the church.  And, if we are faithful to the heavenly vision, we will see salvation blaze like a burning torch, and many will be blinded by the glory. 

For this reason I believe the Lord wants to give us a new name.  I know I wouldn’t be in favor of a name change if I didn’t believe the Lord was in it.  But the real question is “what does the Lord want?” And, “how can we best reach those seekers of God who have yet to come into the fold of faith?”  

The Scripture continues… “Your new name will be 'The City of God’s Delight' for the Lord delights in you…”

Sounds like a good place to be.