Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1995

I Hope So
Dave Alexander

Lots of products have brand names that seek to describe what is in the package or what result can be expected from their use. "Security Bank" and "Trans World Air Lines" are examples of this kind of nomenclature. Others seek by their name to evoke a feeling in us unrelated to the product itself but somehow attracting us to this brand over another. "Tide" has little to do with laundry or detergent, but it has much to do with the type of awesome power that just might get our clothes clean. Still other names make us shrug and just say, "I hope so."

On the market for a while here in Taiwan was a brand of disposable diapers imported from Italy and named "Absorba." I hope so. And there's a brand of bathroom fixture from Japan called "Accu-flush." Again, I hope so.

Recently I was appointed to start a new congregation for the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan in the port city of Kaohsiung. The two groups putting up the funds for this work chose the name. The discussion went on for quite a while. Often Presbyterian churches here are named for their neighbourhoods or for the streets on which they are situated. The area for this new church start has two major roads, either of which would present a good name for a church. It is near the intersection of Seng-kong (Success) Road and Su-ui (Four Principles) Road. Both names came up in the discussion. But things went on. Since the initial location is the chapel-of a Christian hospital, it was thought to use the name already on the sign, "Sin-gi." It's a good name but it presents some problems. The hospital belongs to the -Lutheran Church and "Sin-gi" is the name used in Taiwanese for their entire denomination. If you ask a Lutheran you'll learn that the term translates "FaithRighteousness." Going to a dictionary or two, you'll find 'Fidelity,""Loyalty," or even 'Integrity." The conclusion of the naming discussion settled at using "Sin-gi" for the new congregation's name.

My point is this. I'm now the founding pastor of.- (take your pick) - Faith and Righteousness Presbyterian Church - Fidelity Presbyterian Church - Loyalty Presbyterian Church or - Integrity Presbyterian Church I hope so.

Please click the "Back" button of your browser to return to previous page.