Sometimes changing a church name means something, and other times not so much
In 2013, two churches in Vestal changed their names. There's Bridgewater Church where the South Vestal Baptist Church used to be and there is Grace Point Church where Twin Orchards Baptist Church used to be. One change appears cosmetic, the other, momentous.
In the case of Grace Point, the change
happened in July, but while the name perhaps clarifies the mission, the change
has not been accompanied by other dramatic changes. No new leadership.
No new worship style. Not really a different way of doing ministry. They likely lost a few members over the name change and will likely pick up some members in time, perhaps as a payoff for the name change, but no major changes are evident looking in from the outside.
Grace Point is about marketing, specifically rebranding. The change
hasn't fully been implemented - on their website is still a dropdown menu
titled "About TOBC."
Bridgewater, on the other hand, is a name
change that signifies big change. South Vestal Baptist Church had aged
and dwindled to a very small, elderly congregation. It was a change or
die moment for the twenty or so in the South Vestal church when Bridgewater
Baptist Church of Montrose, Pennsylvania agreed to adopt them. South Vestal became the third site for Bridgewater, which also has a congregation in Hallstead.
Bridgewater South Vestal launched in
September. 51 members of Bridgewater Montrose committed to become part of
Bridgewater in Vestal, so the church more than tripled before they launched.
Today, the church packs the parking lot every Sunday for a building that
can hold 80 in worship. The building and grounds need work, but Bridgewater
in Vestal has made a great start.
In both places in Vestal, the Baptist identification
was removed from the name. In South Vestal, there has been growth. Grace Point was a strong church when they changed their name. For Grace Point, the results will likely take time to discover.
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