Disciples Church

Why are we changing the name of the church?

This short post is to explain why we have decided to rename Calvary Chapel Leatherhead to Disciples Church. Before I explain why we have changed the name, I would like to make it clear that we are still part of the Calvary Chapel network of churches. Our name change is in no way to distance us from Calvary, but rather to link us more to the community, in which we minister. Also we sought after a name that would describe our mission well.

We wanted a name that reflected who we are. We are disciples. Disciples are followers. They follow the Master. Disciples are on the move. As Jesus went about from place to place, his disciples followed him. They listened to his teaching, but more than that, they lived his teaching. God's desire for his Church is that we be disciples. But not only that, he desires that we make disciples too. This is the essence of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20, ESV).

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

To make disciples, we must be disciples. Disciples Church is about both being and making followers of Jesus. This is God's heart for the Christian. In fact, in the ESV Bible, the word Christian is found 3x, Believer(s) is found 15x, but Disciple(s) is found 269x! The purpose of our new name is to reflect this reality. We are a church that wants to follow Jesus and see non-followers begin following him too. As we all follow Jesus, we will all be walking together in unity to the glory of God.