Watermark Church

Yesterday, the church I attend voted to change its name from First Baptist Church Ashford to Watermark Church. Why? It's simple: God wanted us to.

Before going into much further detail, I'd like to give a short, but sweet spiritual background on yours truly. Having practically grown up in the Baptist church, I used to live in this world where you go to church on Sundays and Wednesday nights, you do/say the right things, don't drink or smoke, don't cuss, sit still in church, don't offend others with any radical spiritual behavior, and the list goes on. Then, one day, God rattled the fishbowl I was living in and through the use of an honest friend and devoted parents, made me realize that there's way more to being one of His followers than the simple ritualistic "religious" things that outsiders see us doing. In short, I was no better than any other lost soul out there. I was a sinner who needed a savior and that's that. As a youth, I continued to grow spiritually--again with the help of devoted parents and best friend who was never afraid to boldly rebuke me whenever I needed it. Then, one day, reality slammed me in the face that life's not always easy, especially for us Christians. It didn't matter how good you are. Suddenly, being good wasn't cool. Nobody wanted to date a virgin or hang out with you if you didn't drink or cuss. Frustrated and so desparate to fit in, I took a detour on the wayward path where I stayed for many years. Sure, I'd come to church sporadically and usually for the wrong reasons. I'd pray here and there if I needed something. But inwardly, I knew I wasn't where I needed to be in my walk with Christ. No matter how far I strayed, I couldn't escape that quiet voice calling to me, beckoning me to come back. It was like God was calling down to me from the mountain tops where our relationship was once at its peak. One great thing about God is He'll never leave you--even when you've left Him. I continued to distract myself from that small voice until finally, God knocked me upside the head with a simple question that went something like this:

If you died today, who will be able to say they knew me or came closer to me because of you or anything you did?

I didn't have an answer. I didn't have an excuse. I was simply too prideful.

Now I know that ultimately, we can't blame ourselves for another's rejection of the gospel, but still my mind often wonders what about the chances I've had time and time again to witness to someone who's lost? Why didn't they deserve the chance to know Christ? Did He not die for them too? Am I that self-absorbed or close-minded that I can't take that risk to speak about our beliefs? 


How does this have anything to do with First Baptist changing its name?  Well, it was the conviction I felt by that question that led me to seek out a church to join and start attending regularly. That's when I came to First Baptist and I have been blessed beyond measure ever since.

Again, how does this tie into the subject of changing our church's name?

My story is just another one of many lives who've been touched by or changed through God's work at First Baptist. Change itself is never easy. It was terrifying for me to join a relatively large church where I knew only one other member. It was even more horrifying having to meet new people and begin serving in Vacation Bible School and choir and ultimately Upstreet. But as time progressed, I came to know and love so many people. God opened doors for me and began to bless me with people I could turn to in tough situations and have them pray with me. And if changing our name to Watermark will open more doors of opportunity for others to experience what I have, then I'm all for it. God is on the move! The world around us has changed and will continue to change as it always has. As followers of Christ, it is our calling to be ready to face the challenges of a growing diverse society and embrace those who are different, love those who've never been loved, and be willing to flex our spiritual muscles and grow to accomodate a newer, stronger body of believers.