What does the word "LAGNIAPPE" mean?
Lagniappe...the giftlagniappe (lan-yap) n. Chiefly Southern Louisiana and Mississippi 1. A small gift presented by a storeowner to a customer with the customer's purchase. 2. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. [Louisiana French, from American Spanish la napa, the gift.] -AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Why call a church "Lagniappe" Church?
Lagniappe is a concept that is well-known and appreciated in the culture, but is has been only applied to limited areas of life such as an extra few shrimp added to the order at a seafood market or an extra donut in the dozen. While coastal dwellers in Louisiana and Mississippi are accustomed to a shopkeeper giving a piece of candy to a child as 'lagniappe,' they are not nearly as accustomed to this concept in a spiritual context.
Lagniappe is simply grace. It is unearned, unmerited favor. Far beyond donuts and candy we see the lavish blessings of God's free grace extended to us in Jesus Christ. Our church's name is our passion. LAGNIAPPE church seeks to marry two profound concepts together: Lagniappe (grace) and Church (a body of beleivers).
Many have asked, "Are you really going to call it Lagniappe Presbyterian Church?" The response is always, "of couse!" We wouldn't hesitate to call a church "Grace Presbyterian!" LPC is simply grace contextualized for the culture. It is our prayer that the concept of lagniappe and religion is as startling and surprizing as the name.