I have planted churches since 1979. Other than the obvious scriptural items, the next thing in planting churches for me has been deciding on unique names and logo. Picture say a thousand words. Slogans speak volumes too.
A unique and distinctive name or symbol helps you establish recognition. What distinctive traits do people see in you—and remember you by? This tells a great deal about who you are trying to serve.
The Eastman Kodak company calls its name one of its most valuable assets. How did the Kodak name come into being? According to George Eastman, the company’s founder, he purposely invented the unique name out of thin air. In a 1920s article from System Magazine, Eastman is quoted as saying, “I devised the name myself the letter K had been a favorite with me. It seemed a strong, incisive sort of letter.... It became a question of trying out a number of combinations of letters that made words starting and ending with K.” The word Kodak was devised after a considerable search for a word that would be short, unique, easy to spell, and meet requirements of the trademark law. Eastman wrote, “There is, you know, commercial value in having a peculiar name; it cannot be imitated or counterfeited.”
Kodak was first registered as a trademark in 1888. The first Kodak camera sold for $25 and came loaded with film for 100 exposures. Owners would return the entire camera for processing, and for $10 it was filled with a new roll of film. The pictures were of good quality, and the easy-to-use camera brought photography to the masses. Since that time, the Kodak name has served the company well. Because “Kodak” had no meaning of its own, it could only be associated with the company. It was also almost impossible to misspell. Now registered in ninety countries, the Kodak name has become a trademark that is unique and distinctive.
Jesus never named His church, it was always referred to in words that described. Maybe it is more important to be people like Christ. Adlai E. Stevenson (1900-1965) said, "All progress has resulted from people who took unpopular positions."
You think about it!
Kevin Rayner
Tecumseh, OK
http://hcoct.org/minister.html
One other note from Jim Winner: Kevin, thank you for your service. I wonder if you hear that often?
I am writing out of a small since of desperation. I preach south of you, in the southern most part of the Chicago area. I have been here a little over a year.
I know you may get more requests than you have the ability to fill. My wife's name is Jamie. Jamie will be turning 40 on her birthday. I had always planned to make it a special one for her. She made a big deal out of my 40th birthday seven years ago, and the wheels of genius never stopped as I planned to outdo her. Unfortunately, last December she had her first (right) hip replacement. Since then, and for months before, she has been disabled. She goes into the hospital to have her left hip replaced on the 25th of August. That is her birthday.
I know she would be moved if people would shower her with birthday cards. Most people have no idea what it is like to have a hip replaced at her age, let alone both of them. A little encouragement will go a long way, especially with someone like Jamie.
I am sure your notes go out to many people who know Jamie, through one of the church works we have been involved in, or through our time at Sunset.
It should be sent to her attention, (Jamie Winner) at Cherry Hill Church of Christ, 2759 Lancaster Drive. Joliet, Illinois, 60433. I will take the cards to her at the hospital.
Thank you, Jim Winner
