Canton's Be Life Church embraces new name while Community Christian looks to branch out – Canton Repository

CANTON − What’s in a name? Plenty, it turns out, especially when it involves churches.
Earlier this year, the historic First Church of the Nazarene at 522 30th St. NW officially became Be Life Church.
And Community Christian Church at 210 N. Main St. in North Canton is guiding the Disciples of Christ congregation to reinvent itself as a more of a community resource.
Be Life’s change was the culmination of a years-long process, said the Rev. Dan Hanson, lead pastor.
“The big thing is we wanted a name that was missional,” he said. “We’re called to live for something that’s bigger than ourselves.”
Hanson said Be Life is a reference to Jesus’ words in John 10:10: “The thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.”
“We knew that we needed a name that would resonate with our community, that will help more people come to know Jesus,” he said. “We feel like our name captures that very concisely.”
The church hosted an outdoor festival to introduce the new name to the wider community. Two young church members designed a new logo, which features a heart.
“I think we’re the best-kept secret in Canton,” Hanson said. “This church is full of life. And so, I think Be Life actually captures our mission, and our mission is to help people know God, find freedom, discover their purpose, and make a difference.”
Hanson said the goal of the name change is to foster clarity.
“When I first took over, a couple years in, we brought in a consultant and had him evaluate us,” he recalled. “We wanted to know how we could be more outward focused. On the way to the airport, he said, ‘Pastor Dan, one of the things that you should really do is adopt a new name.’ I said ‘Glenn, there’s no way that we’re going to adopt a new name right now; it’s too much change.’ So we prayed and we took it to the leadership team over a number years. I say if you rush it, you ruin it.
“And so we were just patient and prayed and presented the reasons to our congregation over time. The biggest question we had is, ‘Are we leaving the Church of the Nazarene?’ And the answer has always been no. We are strongly committed to our denomination.”
The Church of the Nazarene was born in 1908, the result of a merger of seven denominations − Central Evangelical Holiness Association; Association of Pentecostal Churches of America; New Testament Church of Christ; Independent Holiness Church; Church of the Nazarene; Pentecostal Church of Scotland; and Pentecostal Mission.
“We found that ‘Nazarene’ sometimes raised more questions than answers.” Hanson explained. “While we embrace our Nazarene heritage, we found that sometimes the actual word was confusing to people. Now that we have adopted a new name, Be Life, it is removing barriers for people to come to Jesus, which is ultimately why the church is here.”
Nazarenes have a process for changes of church names. First, a church’s leadership team has to agree to a new name. Secondly, it has to be approved by the District Assembly at its yearly meeting, and, thirdly, the congregation must vote to approve it.
Hanson said 96% of members voted for the new name.
“I think it captures what we’re already doing,” he said. “We’re on a mission to help people find God.”
Every Thursday morning, the Rev. Brian Shields holds pastoral office hours at Whole Latte Love Cafe in North Canton.
It’s just one way the transitional interim minister of Community Christian Church at 210 N. Main St. is guiding the Disciples of Christ congregation to reinvent itself as more of a community resource, not just as a place to worship on Sundays.
“One of the things I look at as a pastor, the thought that excites me, is facilitating leadership,” Shields said. “Community Christian Church is poised to pivot to support people through life and across the life spectrum.”
Though Community Christian is not changing its name, Shields said, his goal is to help the church extend its reach. He has been with Community Christian since 2024.
“If I was on HGTV, I would say Community Christian has ‘good bones,'” he said with a smile. “They are a very accepting community. We’re a supportive community that can pray for you and give you a sense of belonging in this fractured world.”
Shields, who also is vice president of the North Canton Ministerial Association, said the church plans to craft a vision based on a strategic plan that includes being a resource for the community in such areas as mentorship and family-support services during the week.
Currently, the church supports the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, Christian Church in Ohio, Hammer & Nails, Inc., Refuge of Hope, Stark County Hunger Task Force, a mission in Afghanistan, North Canton Cares Pantry, YWCA in Canton, North Canton City Schools and YMCA in North Canton.
“We want to become a more, real part of the community,” he said.
A native of Kokomo, Indiana, Shields graduated from historic Tuskegee University with designs on becoming a farmer. He said God had other plans. He then completed his master of divinity with a concentration in pastoral care and psychology of religion at the Interdenominational Center in Atlanta.
“It’s where I learned that preachers are real people, and that people don’t just need a good sermon on Sunday,” he said.
For his practicum, Shields served as a hospital chaplain in Indiana.
“That’s where I found out that no one cares if you know Scripture (during a crisis),” he said. “They want to know if you’ll be with them.”
Shields was ordained a Baptist minister and a board certified chaplain, working at the Cleveland Clinic for 14 years, and in hospice work for two years.
“That’s where I professionally grew up,” he said. “I didn’t see myself as a church pastor.”
Though raised Baptist, Shields joined United Church of Christ in 2017, which has shared ministry and pastoral training with the Disciples of Christ. His wife is a Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastor in Cleveland Heights.
“Over time, my love for preaching (and church leadership) grew,” he said.
In 2021, Shields underwent interim ministry training. Last August, he received an email that Community Christian was seeking a pastor. He said he initially ignored it but eventually responded and was offered the interim post.
Shields said one outreach he hopes the church eventually can boost is more activities for seniors, whom he says make up about 65% of the congregation. Weekly attendance averages between 50 and 100, and increases when “snowbird” members return to Ohio.
“One thing I learned as a hospital chaplain is when you’re away from your family or by yourself, there can be a disconnect,” he said. “I envision a ‘wisdom campus,’ with discussions between youth and seniors, and abundant aging.”
The church has a healthy children’s ministry, Shields said. But, like every pastor, he hopes to increase its number of young adults.
“More younger members are also part of the goal, but we need to develop some infrastructure,” he said. Seniors must also be vested in youth ministry.”
Reach Charita at charita.goshay@cantonrep.com. On Twitter: @cgoshayREP.

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