churches dropping the word "Baptist" from their names

We dropped the Baptist from our name because of missiological reasons. We wanted to reach many people who might have a hindrance to attending a church identified with a moniker.

Once they arrive and begin to get involved we lead new guests and attenders through our Discovery Process that allows them to know the what and why of our church. We openly let them know of our Baptist heritage, Baptist distinctives, and Baptist affiliations. Nobody has ever had a problem with it.

Maybe it isn't for everyone but to suggest it is "false advertising" misses the point and doesn't see the whole picture of the ecclesial environment in contemporary America.

 

I don't ascribe any sinister motives to those churches which won't use Baptist in their name. In fact, I think the motive is, as preachinjesus described it, missiological in nature.

But look. One reason given is that the name Baptist might be a hindrance to some people.

And preachinjesus then says

Let me rephrase that statement a bit. Here's what it can be taken as:
"Because the name Baptist might be a turnoff, we're not going to tell you about that at first. If you stick around long enough, we'll eventually tell you."

And I was struck by the last sentence I quoted above: "Nobody has ever had a problem with it."

Nobody? Once they know you're Baptist, everything is okay? So the anticipated problem actually never materializes.

Now, I admit that I have spent most of my life in the South, where there is a Baptist church on every corner. I grant that there may be a perceived hostility to Baptist in other parts of the country. I just think that sometimes we perceive a problem that may not be really there.

And besides, doesn't the Holy Spirit have a role in all this?

 

When radio became popular, the alarmists denounced the radio and quoted the verse about "the prince of the power of the air". Similarly, the invention of the television has been denounced as satanic by some.

However this reminds me of a saying/speech I remember from my childhood, I think it was Churchill, maybe FDR or Truman (or someone else), it went something like this:

'We will fight Hitler wherever we find him, we will fight him here, we will fight him where he lives, we will fight him on the land, we will fight him on the seas, we will fight him in the air..."

Same for the devil, but might we add today, -- we will fight him in cyberspace.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.​

HankD

 

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For those who are wondering, here are the Baptist Distinctives From the GARBC Website:

Biblical Authority
Autonomy of the Local Church
Priesthood of the Believer
Two Ordinances
Individual Soul Liberty
Saved, Baptized Church Membership
Two Offices
Separation of Church and State

As one might suspect from Baptists there are variations but basically these are the Baptist Distinctives.

Go to the site for a detailed explanation and supporting Scripture.

http://www.garbc.org/news/?page_id=32


HankD

 

I have used a computer since before it became the vehicle to the internet. I have used the internet since it came readily available to me. I am not, however, to this day very competent on the computer. The very jargon used confuses me. To my feeble mind it is just a typewriter with a screen instead of paper.

I would prolly never have a website, per se, for either myself or my church. If someone wished to set one up, I would support that. I can see it as a useful tool.

I shouldn't think that not having a website would deter anyone from attending my church. The name "Baptist" is very important to me. That is the first thing I look for and go from there.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I do not believe in dancing around the issue. If you are ashamed of the name, you need to find a place where you are comfortable.

Oh pardon me, we don't dance.

 

Yes, there are such churches using the word "Baptist," but that to me is not a reason not to use the name. In fact, it's a reason to use it, to declare what Baptist can be. It sounds to me like the first church above is an Independent Fundamentalist one that is KJV only (is it?) and the 2nd church sounds more like a pentecostal church. I think that is very odd for a Baptist church to think women should not wear pants (except I guess some of the legalistic Baptist churches). Do they still think this?

If we let all the "bad" churches keep the Baptist name, then it makes the perception of Baptist even worse. It plays into the whole problem.

 

Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them
by Thom S. Rainer
p.38

 

Getting a Church Started
by Elmer Towns
Chapter 6.3

 

The first church I mentioned is IFB, the second SBC, and they do hold to the very conservative legalism (my dad's a deacon there still). The Church is dying, needless to say

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see the issue one way or the other. It's a non essential. If you want the name, fine. If you don't want to use the name, fine. The early Christian Church had no name, unless "The Way" was used.

 

What the Unchurched think of the SBC (PowerPoint) NAMB, Research by George Barna

Slide 10

Slide 14

 

It could be that a number of Baptist churches are falsely advertising by their false doctrine and poor practices. So for one to change their name in an effort to separate from them might be wise.

 

And it would be intellectually honest as well. If they don't believe like Baptists, they ought not to call themselves Baptist.

 

Now that is not the issue is it? How many churches do you know that hang on to the Baptist name then go off on some tangent belief system. That is not the problem, is it? As you well know, despite your rants against the SBC, we are talking about churches that do hold to Baptist doctrine and drop the name because of public perception.

Take the Presbyterian (PCA) church for example. As much as our doctrine is the same, the reason I want the word Baptist in the church I serve in is to let the world know we do not practice the following:

1. We do not sprinkle.
2. We do not baptise infants.
3. We are a local autonomous church.
4. We are not ruled by a group of elders.
5. Pastors are called of God, and chosen by the local church, with no help from any heirarchy.
6. We do not repeat man made creeds each and every service.

So what would you name a church you started? Oh, I know, the Church of No Local Authority.