i heard it through the shapevine

OK, I need your advice and comment. I and some friends are looking at starting a online cafe environment where people can converse (using video feeds and audio links) around the great ideas of our time. We are going to provide a place where people can engage with great thinkers and practitioners in a very personal dialogue. It’s going to rock….really! Now here’s where I need your help. We have to nail down a name for the website. We have come up with the name shapevine.com. The idea being the place where Christianity in the 21st Century is being explored and shaped, particularly in a missional way. Think about James Brown’s “I heard it through the grapevine” ringing through your head as the byline.

Now be kind! And if you don’t like it. Suggest some alternatives.

January 30, 2007 | Filed Under bizarre, missional church |  

Comments

17 Responses to “i heard it through the shapevine”

  1. Derek on January 30th, 2007 10:08 pm

    I definitely think it works. I’m eager to see a graphic design for it too. As a designer, I’m anxious to see how one would design for a site named Shapevine. Sounds great, and I’m definitely looking forward to it.

  2. Rodney Olsen on January 30th, 2007 11:43 pm

    Terrific name and concept.

    I often find that if a name immediately strike me as a great name it can tend to be one that is also likely to be easily forgotten

    If I have to ask myself if this is a great name it means that it’s a little on the ‘different’ yet ‘interesting’ side. Shapevine fits that category. I had to think about it a little but it certainly fits and I’m sure it’ll be memorable.

  3. frank doiron on January 31st, 2007 12:52 am

    I like the idea. I think we need an avenue where practitioners are getting involved in a discussion with those who are fully intending to become practitioners. I am not in favour of yet another avenue for discussion where discussion goes on and on and on.

  4. Celtic Son on January 31st, 2007 12:53 am

    Hey Alan…

    The tall skinny kiwi might have exposed your obsession, but it’s clearly not with Motown! “I heard it through the grapevine” was made famous by Marvin Gaye, having previously been recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips! I’m not sure if the Godfather of soul ever sang the song!

    Shapevine is a viable title - not sure if I’d have people consider a 1960’s Motown hit as the theme of an online cafe dealing with 21st Century Christianity! Though there is always a danger in tying a concept to a specific current song, because anything that’s specifically current will be in disfavour much faster than a classic.

    Slainte

    A Celtic Son ;-)

  5. Mike Prince on January 31st, 2007 1:12 am

    Great idea and great name! How can I get involved? Terrific conference in California this week! Thanks

  6. Chris Bell on January 31st, 2007 4:25 am

    I am not sure if I’m feeling it, but I would participate regardless of what it is called.

    I am looking forward to meeting you in April in Orlando, FL. I just saw that you will be there.

  7. douglas molgaard on January 31st, 2007 5:11 am

    Sounds like a cool place to get in shape and drink some wine.
    This sound exciting I am sure that whatever name you choose it will be great. Hope we can join you from Sweden.

  8. Matt Wiebe on January 31st, 2007 9:07 am

    The name didn’t really grab me. But it would be easy to remember, and that’s a big bonus. Simple = good.

  9. Matt on January 31st, 2007 9:31 am

    Concept sounds a bit like Dropping Knowldge - I assume you’ve had a look at that? (http://www.droppingknowledge.org if you haven’t)

  10. Jeremy on January 31st, 2007 10:39 am

    no, no, no and no!!!
    I don’t care who did it first, but I heard it through the grapevine belongs to Credence Clearwater Revival :)

  11. Alan Hirsch on January 31st, 2007 1:27 pm

    And now it belongs to us!!

  12. Jeremy on January 31st, 2007 2:33 pm

    Oh you can have it.
    It’s James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Gladys Knight that can’t.
    Maybe you could post an mp3 of the Alan Hirsch version?

  13. Alan Hirsch on January 31st, 2007 3:47 pm

    Now you don’t really want that do you? Mind you, it will be unforgettable to some. :-)

  14. Jay Lewis on February 1st, 2007 2:42 am

    Great name! Love the CCR version! Whatever you end up calling it, I’m in!

  15. Matt Tew on February 4th, 2007 3:48 pm

    Love the name, love the concept.

    Can also imagine blogging ‘I heard this (

  16. Matt Tew on February 4th, 2007 3:50 pm

    Should have read

    ‘I heard this (<- Hyperlinked) on the shapevine’

  17. Alan Hirsch on February 5th, 2007 2:40 am

    Thanks everyone. It seems the vote is in for shapevine.com Will factor into our answers. Thanks tons for the feedback!!

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