A New Name (November 2025)
Crown Hill Church.
This Sunday, we voted to name our church Crown Hill Church.
In the midst of this journey towards merging that we have been on, and the many steps we’ve already taken (and the many still to take)... this one felt very significant and special. As Ralph said on Sunday, all three proposed names were good options that the elders felt comfortable with. Each had its strengths. But allow me to share what I see as the strengths of this name: Crown Hill Church.
We are located here, on the corner of 80th & Mary. “Crown Hill Church” tells our neighbors that we care about this place; that God cares about this place, and that God cares about them. It gives us a missional focus - though the whole world needs to know and experience that God loves them and Jesus died for them - God has placed us here, to bear witness here, to serve here, to love here.
It gives us a center-point to our rhythm of gathering and scattering. Our church (the people) are scattered from Everett to West Seattle, and we gather from these places to come together in Crown Hill at our church (the building). It’s here that we remember, rehearse, and experience the gospel each week. And it’s from here where we are sent back into our neighborhoods, workplaces, homes and schools as God’s beloved people “declaring the praises of him who called [us] out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Jesus reigns and Jesus loves. That’s also what I hear in “Crown Hill.” This little “Urban Village” unknowingly has deep theological truths embedded in its name. Jesus wears many crowns (Revelation 19:12), and has been exalted to the highest place (Philippians 2:9) so that he is known as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 17:14). Jesus is King. Jesus reigns. What a comfort this is in a world that feels out of control.
But Jesus wore a different kind of crown when he ascended the hill outside the city to be crucified - a crown of thorns. Yes Jesus reigns (and wears a crown as King), but he reigns not as one who wields his power at the expense of others, but as one who serves, who went up the hill to die, and who lays down his life for his friends… and his enemies. He’s our Servant King.
I could go on, but I love the biblical imagery present in the name of our church and our neighborhood.
In the coming weeks and months we’ll be working on a logo, new signs, a new website, and at some point we’ll have a party to launch our “new” church. I pray that we fill this new name with meaning as we allow God to shape us into the image of Christ through his Spirit’s transforming power. I pray that we would be a church whose lives reflect Jesus - our Servant King.
To God be the glory,
Mark
