In America, 91% of all churches have a ministry named “Fusion.” That is an exaggeration. It’s probably more like 93% because when you google the phrase Fusion Church, you get 637,000 responses. That’s a lot but it makes sense, Fusion is a good name. It blends different things together to create something new. It sounds energetic and young and interesting. I understand why so many churches use it. What I don’t understand is what happens when it comes time to name our divorce ministries.
Someone emailed me and mentioned that at a church they were familiar with, the divorce ministry was named, “broken hearts, open arms.” That at once combines two things most people don’t like, being sad and hugging strangers. But I didn’t believe the email at first. I thought to myself, “Surely, in this ‘fusionful’ world we’re living in, churches aren’t still doing that. Surely, we’ve recognized that depression isn’t the first step in healing.” Then I found Reaching Adults In Pain.
Reaching Adults in Pain is a divorce care ministry in the south. I have to assume that it’s designed to guide divorced folks through the incredible hurt and heartache that divorce can generate. I’m sure at the core, it’s a great ministry doing genuine good. But would you want to be part of Reaching Adults in Pain? What does that t-shirt look like? Are there mugs? Do you refer to it as RAP? So many questions.
I have friends that are going through divorce. They go to groups like Oasis and DivorceCare and seem pretty happy with the experience. Not that the name softens the hurt, but it reminds them that living out of the hurt isn’t the final goal, living is.
To be honest with you though, if it were up to me, all churches and ministries would be named by Pastor Charles Mackie. What did he name his church in downtown Alpharetta, Georgia? Here’s the name, complete with quotation marks they provided, not me:
Keepin it Real “Lighthouse”
I love it.
