Because "Baptist" is not a denominational name, but a doctrinal identity. And so many "Baptist" churches have sullied the name they no longer want to be identified as such.
In the NE where Baptists are stark minority & Roman Catlicks are the majority, I believe that Churches are trying to bring in RC's & the term 'Baptist' scares them.
Truly, I can hardly find a "Baptist" church of any stripe in NJ.....not so Non-Denoms......and depending on the Non Denominational church, they are filled with different doctrine & different structures.....most (I see anyway) are becoming very liberal .... very liberal indeed!
I bet that if you asked a bunch of unchurched youngsters to name a Baptist church, the one they'd all know would be Westboro Baptist Church.
:Devilish
I don't blame people for changing their church's name.
Steve.....In New Jersey, I seriously doubt if they would know what Westboro is so thats not an issue. when I belonged to a congregational church, those folks mostly wanted to turn it into a Arminian Denominational ....even a Charismatic thing. They partnered up with a former Baptist Pastor who was going around trying to convince churches to renounce the name Baptist. His words 'verbatim' were, Roman Catholics are deathly afraid of the connotation of what Baptist bring ......they don't like or want them so that's why we are changing the name to Non Denom.
I agree that the name "Baptist" is a frightening thing to a former Catholic and is often a deterrent to someone coming into the building even to see a play or pageant.
Thats correct.....at least not in my area of reach. I am not suggest they aren't there.....like this one yesterday....6 months ago they were baptist but now they are non denom. Or they are Arminian, Free Will, Or dead etc. I want something Within my Community.....is that too much to ask?
I'm really not hung up on names...gotta go inside to see what they are about. One place, a non denom, appeared to be good until I found out they never in 40 years went out into the community to make disciples.....never wanted to, rather they expect everyone to come to them. I view that as problematic.
Curious, why would I go to a church to see a play or a pageant?
Speaking myself as a former Catholic, I wanted to be free of all that Catholic dogma, I wanted to know Gods plan for my life, I wanted to love the lord & evangelize the Great commission. Pageants & Plays & Ice Cream Socials & Friday Night movies are not my focus .....they are probably a reason not to go.
Because each person is different and some people need to come to a play or pageant in order to enter the church for the first time.
We have put on Christmas plays for years and they are fun musicals with a message.
People hear the Gospel.
One night is a dinner theater where people have purchased tables and invited their neighbors.
We had one couple who were amazing.
A sweet Jewish couple who came to a play, were saved after hearing the Gospel and in the 20+ years that followed, they invited no less than 100 friends each year to see the show.
It was a great opportunity for people to come into the church and in some cases, hear the Gospel for the first time.
This couple ended up being the most amazing evangelists!
The husband passed away a few years ago and the 700 seat sanctuary was packed with many people who are now brothers and sisters in Christ thanks to the outreach of this couple.
:)