Potential CMC Name Change

Some of you are aware that the denomination that Pigeon River Mennonite Church (the congregation that I pastor) is a part of is considering a name change.  I have only been a part of the denomination for two years now, so I know little of the broader context and am continuing to work at better understanding the discussion.  What I gather is that this discussion happened about 10 years ago and resulted in no change because a suitable name was not found.  After a survey taken in the last two years and some input from a consultant, the discussion has resumed.

As I understand it, there are those who have concerns that "Conservative" does not represent us well in our current cultural context give the political overtones that are not necessarily consistent with who we are.  Additionally, while we are "conservative" in our theology, there are those that assume we are "conservative" in our dress; as in Amish, which we are not.

Likewise, there are concerns that the name "Mennonite" places barriers in people's minds who assume that Mennonite means Amish.  While we are not changing our theology, there are those who desire to be even more outreach focused and welcoming to those who do not have a Mennonite background.  Some, if not many in this camp believe that the name is the barrier and changing our name will make outreach more effective.   They believe that people will be more likely to walk through the front doors.

Given those realities, CMC leadership suggested a new name, "Rosedale Network."  After receiving feedback, they adapted the name to "Rosedale Network of Churches" and brought it to a vote at our summer ministers business meeting in 2017.  The name change failed (I believe by something like 2%).  The leadership of CMC has continued to work on this in preparation for the next ministers business meeting in February 2018.  They sent out the following e-mail inviting input and suggesting their rationale.

CMC Ministers:

In consultation with the RBC and RMM boards, the Executive Board has continued working on a name change for CMC.  The goal is to present a proposed name to the ministers in January, which would then be voted on at the business meeting in February. 

After prayerfully reflecting on the process of the past three years since the call for a name change came to the floor of the February 2015 business meeting, and after reviewing feedback from the vote in July on the name “Rosedale Network of Churches”, the Executive Board determined it would be best to move forward with a name that contains “Rosedale” and “Anabaptist” in it.  The options currently under consideration are: Rosedale Network of Anabaptist Churches, Rosedale Anabaptist Alliance, Rosedale Anabaptist Churches, and Rosedale Anabaptist Network.  

Rationale

• While there has certainly been some pushback on including “Rosedale” in the name, there has been even more support for including it.  From the very beginning of the process to the present, whenever name suggestions have been solicited, “Rosedale” has been the most common word included in the suggestions received.
• “Rosedale” carries a lot of name recognition in the larger Anabaptist world in the U.S. and abroad.  In fact, in many settings it seems we are already known as “Rosedale” more so than Conservative Mennonite Conference.  Rosedale has become a brand more than just a tiny spot in the cornfields of Ohio.  This is exemplified by RMM keeping “Rosedale” in their name after moving to Columbus, and naming their facility the Rosedale International Center.  Additionally Rosedale Business Group is a consortium of business people from various states whose focus is on doing business as missions around the world.  None of its members live or work in Rosedale.  Their name does not connect them to a location on the map, but rather to a brand.
• Having “Rosedale” in the name contributes to a sense of unity and collaboration with Rosedale Bible College and Rosedale Mennonite Missions, something called for in Kanagy’s 2016 Mission & Identity Report resulting from a survey of 1,200+ people in CMC.
• At the business meeting in July, nearly 2/3 of the voting ministers (64%) approved the name “Rosedale Network of Churches”.  Of those who didn’t approve, the most common objection expressed on the ballots was that the name did not include a theological marker.
• Based on feedback received throughout this process, if a theological marker is to be included in the name, “Anabaptist” is preferable to “Mennonite”.  In fact, of 60 name suggestions submitted in a survey earlier in 2017, 33 of them contained the term “Anabaptist” while only 14 contained “Mennonite”.
• Since the terms “Anabaptist” and “Mennonite” both require some explanation for those we are trying to reach who are unfamiliar with our church history or those who have preconceived notions of who we are, it seems advantageous to be named after a movement rather than a person.
• Using a term like “network”, “network of churches”, “churches” or “alliance” helps keep the emphasis on the local church and not the organization.  It’s important to reflect in the name that the organization exists for the benefit of the local churches, not the local churches for the benefit of the organization.

  

I welcome your responses/feedback to this rationale in the comments.