VIII. A DESCRIPTION, NOT A NAME

Again in chapter fourteen, Witness Lee reiterates that the term “local church” is not a particular name, but rather a description of the nature of the church, reflecting the fact that the local church comprises all the believers in a certain city. Witness Lee points out that our name is not “the local church,” and further, that we need to avoid conveying to others the impression that we have a name.

We who are standing here as the church do not have a particular name. Do not think that the term “local church” is our name. This is not our name. It is right to say that we are the local church, but it is wrong to say that the “local church” is our name. This term describes the nature of the church. Do not give people the impression that our name is the local church. The local church in a city should consist of all the believers in that city. But we say with sadness that many dear saints are far away from their home in the church. We do not have any name. For the sake of communication and for registration with the government we may say that we are the church in Anaheim. But not even this should be construed as a name. Do your best to avoid using terms that may be misunderstood as being our name. We do not need a name, and we do not want to have one. (190-191)