Our process of choosing a new name for our church is now entering its final stages (hopefully!!). The intended process (which is still flexible!) is as follows:

• Nomination of Names that should still be in the discussion. (now completed)
• Sharing Feedback (7-13 Feb)
• Rating the Names with a view to creating a final shortlist (now underway)
• Voting on the Names with a view to choosing our preferred name (21-27 Feb)
• A Formal Vote to Adopt the New Name (28 March – 1 April)

Sharing Feedback (7-13 Feb)

When nominations closed, the full list of nominated names was shown in the box here, and people were asked to share things that they think others should consider with regard to each name but might not have thought of. The promotional pitches and the collected comments from the congregation are all now available to read.

Rating the Names with a view to creating a final shortlist (14-20 Feb)

In this now completed poll, we were asked to rate each of the nominated names on a four point scale: 

• This is an ideal name for our church;
• This is a good name for our church; 
• I could live with this name for our church; or 
• This name is not okay for our church. 

This was not asking you to choose between the names, but to consider each name on its own merits. Is it a name that could work well for our church? You could give several names the top rating if you think they’re all really good contenders. This poll identifies a shortlist of three names that are widely seen a good possibilities to be take to the next vote.

Voting on the Names to choose our preferred name (22-28 Feb)

This poll, now underway, is a secret ballot using preferential voting (like voting for your local member in a parliamentary election). It asks you to number the shortlisted names in your order of preference. Your preferences continue to influence the outcome, even if your preferred name is eliminated early in the count.

If this vote produces a winner with at least a two thirds majority after the distribution of preferences, we will proceed directly to the next step. If it produces a closer and more divided outcome, we will consider additional steps (e.g a listening circle, another feedback sharing step, etc).

A Formal Vote to Adopt the New Name (28 March – 1 April

Formally and officially adopting the new name will require legalities such as making changes to our constitution. The constitution can’t be changed without four weeks notice of the wording of the proposed changes. Therefore, even after we have chosen our new name, there will be a mandatory four week cooling off period! But if we don’t go cold on it, and all goes to plan, our new name will become official on April Fools Day, because surely that seems like a fitting day to conclude all this!!!