What's in a Name?

Names can be arbitrary or chosen simply because the namer likes the sound of a given name.

Names can also be thoughtful and loaded with meaning, symbolism, and hope.

Even intentionally chosen names, though, can come with unintended baggage. For instance, my parents named me Harold Cleveland May III... a distinguished name, if I do say so myself. However, I don't think they thought about the ways this name could be turned against me in the torture chambers of middle school, where I was called "Cleveage," which was bad enough until the day when Erica Peterson put together that my first name was Harold, and she dubbed me, in front of the whole PE class, "Harry Cleveage." I was 13.

Devastating.

So what about the name of this church, The CityWell? Why have I chosen this name? What does it mean, symbolize and hope for? Might there be some unintentional baggage that comes with it?

I've already posted on the biblical basis of the name (see the post What is a CityWell?), but there is more to say. The name obviously breaks into two component parts, City and Well. The first of these parts is hugely important. You see, God has a thing for cities. I know God loves all of creation, but God REALLY loves cities. In fact, when God brings the Kingdom to completion and puts everything in creation just how God wants it to be, there will be a city, the New Jerusalem. Did you know that your eternal destiny is big city life? I hope you weren't hoping for a mountain cabin or secluded island somewhere. We get a city, because God loves cities. I suspect the reason for this is that cities are full of people and we know God loves people. Beyond this, though, the population density of cities presents particular opportunities for community life not often found outside of the city. Central to these is the element of diversity in the city, which creates the possibility of worshiping communities who presage the heavenly city where God revels in the glory of the nations (Revelation 21:24-26). A community like this can exist now, because we worship the One who taught us to pray for the Kingdom to come ON EARTH as in heaven.

So, the CityWell will be a church in the heart of the city, working for the welfare of the city, and embracing and seeking to reflect the diversity of the city because God digs cities.

The second part of the name is no less significant. After all, what is a well? A well is a source of refreshment for all of the people living in a given area, a common ground where people across the spectrum of status, income, background, and race find the one thing that can quench the thirst common to all people. A well is a place of gathering, a place where stories are told and lives are shared. A well is a necessity for the flourishing of a community, a source of health and strength for a city, a gift that brings life to a city.

And the CityWell will be a people committed to blessing Durham in like manner, as we believe that Jesus sends us out, as He was sent to us (John 20:21) that we might be all of these things for the world.

But what about unintentional baggage? Perhaps you can help me out with that. The only thing I can think of is that unlike a well, this church will not be a place or a building, but rather a people who gather and who are sent throughout the city to live as a blessing to the city. What do you think?