Macomb Township, USA -- The township's newest congregation may be inspired from above, but its name is coming courtesy of the Internet.
Organizers are hoping to encourage interest in the church -- which will meet at a local school -- by asking people to vote on its name via a Web survey at www.namethatchurch.com. There are three days left for area parishioners to weigh in.
"We're gaining momentum. We want a name that encompasses who we are and that portrays our philosophy ... to make faith current again," said the Rev. Josh Hossler, 29, who recently moved from Indiana to start a church here. "We're custom designing it to make it fit this community.
"And what better way to show that than get people involved?"
An estimated 800 votes have been cast since the "Name That Church" online campaign began in mid-March; the last day to vote is Saturday. The church's Web site, namethatchurch.com, lists five top choices for people to vote on: Evident Church, Faithbridge Church, Vox Church, Summit Church or Axiom Church. The church's name and logo will be revealed at its first summer service at 10 a.m. June 15 at Sequoyah Elementary School, 18500 24 Mile, in Macomb Township.
The church's grand opening will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at Seneca Middle School, 47200 Heydenreich Road.
Hossler said his focus is helping people reconnect with their faith.
"Culture is constantly moving and changing and often, faith gets left behind," he said. "People were walking away from faith because they thought it was irrelevant. But, what I think is irrelevant was the methods."
Hossler's church will feature contemporary music, reference pop culture and use media and technology to create a casual and approachable atmosphere for his parishioners.
Up to 50 people from area churches have signed on to that philosophy, including Tim Joye, a fifth-grade teacher at Siersma Elementary School in Warren. Joye said he's wanted to be part of establishing a church for a while, but didn't feel a true fit until he met Hossler.
"It was pretty exciting to see he had the same vision, same excitement about his church," said the Warren resident. "I just want to see this church touch the people of Macomb Township and for us to relate to them."
And that's not always possible with traditional church hymns, Joye said. That's why, as the creative arts pastor, Joye said he hopes to incorporate contemporary, upbeat Christian music into the services and programs.
Hossler said he wants to make it fun -- and not an obligation -- for everyone to go to church, but especially for children.
"Our goal is to make this the best hour of every kid's week, that they'd be dragging their parents out of bed," he said. "It's the opposite of what happens."