On naming a church and planting a garden.

Why “Garden” Church?

When dreaming about a new church, there were some common themes that continued to come to the surface. We often found ourselves talking about growth, discipleship, and the slow, steady process of becoming more and more like Jesus.

It’s hard to capture everything in a name, but the name “Garden Church” represents many of these themes.

Like a seed planted in the soil, growth is often slow and steady but the result is something beautiful. The vision we have in mind revolves less around exciting events and more around cultivating a community where formation is not a program but the very culture—where people are planted, nourished, and shaped into followers of Jesus for the flourishing of our city.

Secondly, when Jesus talks about our formation, he so often uses a gardening metaphor: planting seeds, soil, harvesting, vines and branches. These illustrations give us a living image to relate to in the discipleship journey.

Third, the biblical story begins in a garden where everything is “good" and right, and where everything flourishes. But the end of the story in Revelation 21 and 22 come full circle, with a picture of what many have called a “Garden City”, where God and his people dwell and flourish together again, and all is made new. The idea and image of a garden plays a significant role throughout scripture. You might even argue God’s restoration plan that runs all throughout the story of scripture is a plan to re-garden his good world.

Lastly, on a very personal note, I love gardening. But I promise we didn’t name the church after one of my hobbies. That said, I learn a lot about my own spiritual formation while carefully planting my snap peas in the spring, or weeding my garden in the summer. More on that another time.