If you ever deal with anyone on the phone or in person who is not from the area you find yourself saying, "No really, that's the name. "Farmland" is a real place. "Friends" is a denomination." I've had more than one person/group laugh at me when I tell them the name of the church that I pastor. The first 15 times was funny - now it's just plain annoying.
Farmland Friends elicits different thoughts in different people. My initial thoughts were farmers in straw hats standing in a field holding hands. And I knew Farmland was a place, and I've grown up in the Friends denomination. To read how Shaun Groves perceived our name you can go HERE.
Would you like to see Farmland Friends on the Internet? Check this out, this Farmland has friends, want a cow, pig, or rooster plate?, and then there is this; someone placed this in my box at church the other day...
You can get a Farmland Friends pig too...
I love our church; fortunately our church is more than our name (thank God! Because our name is weird) and it is more than our building (which come to think of it is a little weird too.) We are made up of great people (some of us are really weird), who love Jesus and love others enough to tell them about Him. I'd change our name in a heartbeat - but I'd never trade any of the people!
I picture Garfield and Friends (you know, his farm animal friends that appeared on tv every Saturday morning when I was 8).
ReplyDeleteI too had someone laugh at me at a youth conference when they saw a sticker on my chest that read "Farmland Friends". They thought it was a joke, then they felt really bad when I explained that this was the name of my home church.
I usually refer to it as "The [Quaker] Dome just off 32" when I tell people about our church.
I can relate to the chuckles. Becuase of the kids medical issues... every place that they are seen (including every doc at Riley) registration always askes "And dad works at Farmland Friends?" They usually have that *loo* on their face of "Are you serious?" Ha! I just yes and move on. :)
ReplyDeleteFarmland Friends Church. How can a church who has been around for over 125 years be wierd? Look at the history of our church and all the generations of people who have worshipped there and have found Christ there.
ReplyDeleteFarmland Friends Church, whether its in the new location or the old location on east Henry street is still very dear to many folks.
Throughout my life, the name Farmland Friends Church meant peace, love, and family to me. I will say that if the name were changed, I would feel like a part of me would be lost. I'm sure there are others who would feel the same way.
There is an old saying. "Whats in a name?" If the name is Farmland Friends Church, then there is plenty. "Wierd". I don't think so!!!
I'm with you, Kris. It's stinkin' weird. Hehe.
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