Rationale for Changing Our Name to Trinity Church
By Gene Helsel
December 7, 1999
Our reasons for considering a name change in the first
place were three-fold. Firstly, because names are very important. A man’s
name precedes him, and communicates something of his character to others
even before they have met him. Imagine how differently you would
anticipate the first-time meeting of someone named Billy Ray Cracker,
versus someone named Alistar Smithson Bentworthy III. The Scriptures
consistently teach that names and naming are of no small import or
consequence. The first Adam named his help-meet "woman" (from man)
because she was, but he also named her "Eve" (living)
because she would be "the mother of all living". The second Adam
called his followers "disciples" because they were, but he also
named one of them "Peter" (rock) long before that disciple was steadfast,
and today calls His Bride "beloved" long before she is made lovely. Simply
put, a good name describes, but it also directs. A good name is accurate,
but it also articulates the standard towards which a person – or church –
should strive.
Secondly, given the importance of names, we believed
that the name Wenatchee Evangelical Fellowship was miscommunicating
who we are. To begin with, we are a church. We are not a
home-fellowship or a ministry. We are, according to Biblical standards, a
duly constituted church. We have an elder and deacons. We, as a
church, minister Word, Sacrament and practice godly church discipline. We
are not a Bible study group or para-church organization. We are a
church. Likewise, the term "evangelical" seemed to be creating some
confusion in people’s minds. Here in Wenatchee, some thought the term
"evangelical" meant that we were "charismatic", others thought it meant
that we were "seeker friendly", or that we used contemporary music in
worship. But virtually no one understood "evangelical" in the classical,
gospel, or Reformational sense. And furthermore, the overall modern and
civic character of our name concealed our strong conviction that we
are – present tense – an organic part of the historic, universal and
covenantal church of Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, we believed that our former name was rather
un-poetic, awkward, and cumbersome. Rarely did we call ourselves by our
full name, preferring instead the acronymistic "W.E.F." (pronounced "dubyee-ef"),
or sometimes even the detestable and ultra-lazy "Wef" (ugh!)
So why did we choose the name Trinity Church?
Again the reasons are (no pun intended) threefold:
Firstly, because Trinity exalts our God
who is tri-personally involved in our salvation, the Father willing,
the Son accomplishing and the Spirit applying all things requisite for our
redemption. And because the Trinitarian
Gospel properly understood and taught distinguishes us from every
modern cult and heretical sect.
Secondly, because Trinity Church is an historic
name, and used by many faithful churches in the past. Though new to
us, Trinity Church is an old name and affirms our connection to,
and covenantal unity with, the historic and universal church of Jesus
Christ.
And thirdly, because Trinity Church is an
elegant, majestic and beautiful name. It is a name that resists –
although is not immune to – being reduced to an acronym. The essence of
Trinity (diversity and unity) is the very core of the absolute truth,
goodness and beauty that we are striving – by God’s grace – to promote and
defend. We do feel a bit presumptuous in taking this name, but have taken
it in hope that we will, over time, grow into a portion of its stature and
glory.
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