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In selecting a name for this church, we considered a variety of factors:
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A name that means something.
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A name that “fits” the Strip. Many of the shows on the Strip have one word titles: Mystique, Believe, Ice, Jubilee, Zumanity, Love, Bite, Fantasy. These words have meaning, but also a bit of an abstract quality to them.
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Some of our plans include having a rock band that plays in local clubs and a pastor possibly doing stand-up at local comedy clubs. We want to have a name that someone singing or doing comedy in a club could wear a t-shirt featuring the name of the church, without it being obvious that it was the name of a church. A name that might draw questions and create conversations rather than simply making a statement.
Because of these and other factors, and after much thought and prayer, we have chosen the name:
Verve
The meaning of verve: (1) Energy and enthusiasm, as in movement or in the expression of ideas, especially in artistic performance or composition; (2) Vitality; (3) Liveliness.
Many would claim that the Las Vegas Strip is a place of energy, enthusiasm, vitality, and liveliness. But there is something missing. There is something dead in the life of the Las Vegas Strip. People who live and work there sense it and would admit it in their more honest moments.
We want to bring true verve to the Vegas Strip. Jesus said He came to bring life, true abundant life (John 10:10). We could say that He came to bring verve. Through Him, we hope to do the same.
We also want to have a public slogan. Though our mission is to “Love God. Love People. Turn the World Upside Down,” we want to have a slogan that:
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speaks to people right where they’re at.
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raises curiosity and generates conversation.
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builds on and elucidates our name (we think this is especially important since the word “church” is not in our name and since the meaning of verve may not be known by everyone).
Our slogan:
Stripping Church. Seeking Life.
The “Stripping Church” has a variety of benefits. It plays on the idea that we are a church for the Strip. It connotes that we have re-engineered church for people on the Strip. It gives the idea that we have eliminated unnecessary and unwanted elements from church. For instance, if someone asked, “What do you mean by ‘Stripping Church’?” The answer might be, “When you think of church, what comes to mind? Religion. Polyester suits. Meaningless rituals. Holier than thou attitudes. Knowing when to stand up and when to sit down. Well, what we’re doing is stripping church of all that unnecessary garbage and letting it be what it’s supposed to be: loving God and loving people.”
Having the word “church” in the slogan also helps let the curious know that Verve is a church.
“Seeking life” works because it is a felt need, something people recognize they need to do. But it’s also a real need; it’s what God commands us to do in Jesus. It also connects back to the Verve name. Verve speaks of the source of life, and that is what we’ll be seeking.
So, our name and slogan?
Verve
Stripping Church. Seeking Life.
