A New Name.

I'm worried that a percentage of our congregation and some staff are addicted to celebrityism. I have reasoned that my own un-solicited fame is going to be used for influencing good, but it concerns me that some people are more interested that their pastor has met Bono and recently appeared on Larry King. The reason these people attend the church is not for the right reasons, but they think somehow through association they are connected to fame.

So I've come up with a solution! I'm going to legally change my name. No longer will people be able to say "I go to Rick Warren's church." or "My pastor just met with the President, and is the best selling non-fiction author of all time."

Here were some of the possible names:

That Dude - this would work for the surfer group, but I'm not sure I would be invited to speak at the United Nations.

George Bush - there's already 2 of them, why not add another?

The greek symbol for teacher - although this didn't really work for Prince

Pastor Pastor - so nice, I'll name it twice

John 3:16 - people would think I'm the crazy guy in rainbow wig at football games

Dr. Purpose - sounds like a soda pop

Then it hit me - I'll change my name to Saddleback Church. That way when people drop my name they will be dropping the church's name. So the conversation would go something like this.

Joe: Where do you go to church?

Mike: I go to Saddleback

Joe: Oh yeah, that's with that pastor who wrote that best selling book, what's his name?

Mike: Saddleback Church

Joe: Right, but it says here that Saddleback Church will be on CNN. Who will?

Mike: Saddleback Church

Betty: Saddleback Church is great.

Mike: Saddleback Church is a reverse tither.

Betty: Who is? How does that work?

Sally: and...Saddleback Church got a lot of flack for having Obama speak.

Betty: Saddleback Church got flack for Osama speaking?

Mike: No, not Osama, Saddleback Church.

Sally: I heard Saddleback Church just got back from Uganda and London meeting with dignitaries.

Betty: Did the whole congregation go?

Mike: No, Just Saddleback Church

Joe: You mean, the purpose driven network didn't all go?

Mike: Yes

Betty: Where does Saddleback Church meet?

Sally: In Lake Forest when Saddleback Church is in town.

Betty: You mean there are other Saddleback Churches?

Mike: Yes

I'm sure the IRS is going to have fun with this one.