Al Mohler just tweeted on Twitter:
“Jimmy Draper to serve as chairman of task force to consider name change. Others named in minutes. #SBC”
This is the first I have heard about this.
I have been a Southern Baptist all of my life. It is a part of my identity and a part of who I am. I guess I will have to remain a Baptist…but somewhere else.
Some will say “It is only a name”, but changing says that we have left our history and our ideals.
I reluctantly watched the Sunday School Board change to LifeWay—and leave the roots of teaching the Bible to making money.
Now, I will have to watch the SBC move from a missions organization to become a political party, a money making machine, and a leader of lulling people to sleep while the hell fire continues to burn.
We have lost our way.
Chuck Cossey says
Chaplain Andrews, I couldn’t agree more. Names mean things. Look at the number of Baptist churches that leave “Baptist” out of their name. Should we also stop calling ourselves Christian in order to appeal to the world and to further missions? Distinctive doctrines define who we are as Southern Baptists. However, even these distinctions are being abandoned among Southern Baptists. Actually, it is appropriate that those who do not believe in our heritage and theology change their names. The Bible has become watered down and sermons are now little more than feel good psychology. We now dress in jeans to make everyone feel comfortable instead of dressing in our best out of respect to our Lord. The pulpit has been removed symbolizing that God’s word and preaching are no longer central. “Contemporary” worship and praise bands have resulted in an entertainment atmosphere. Our people no longer have to bring their Bibles because everything they need to know is displayed on a screen using power point. We need to return to our roots.
Kevin says
If people think changing a name does miracles, then think again. If a good person changes his or her name that person is still the same. If a person is a murderer and changes their name they are still a murderer. If SBC has a negative image because of it’s name, then we should be prepared to tell people how many people are fed by southern Baptists around the world, both physically and spiritually. I have no respect for any organization that abandons its name, and especially one of the last denominations that actually treats the things of God seriously. This sounds like liberalism is creeping back in, and it is an attempt to sugar coat and water down the gospel, and make everything feel good. Southern Baptists and the Roman Catholics are some of the only Christians left who speak out against abortion, and are for Biblical marriage, I wonder how long before that also ends ?
Scott says
Chaplain Andrews, I agree with you on every point. There is everything in a name. It defines who we are within the family of God as much as our surnames define who we are as earthly beings. We are Southern Baptists – there is no shame in that at all! I believe the fact our leaders are considering a name change is the culmination of just how far we have lost our way. Walk into 8 out of 10 so-called conservative Bible-believing SBC churches, and you will never open your Bible. Not once. Pastors preach service over sanctification, worship is feeling good over experiencing conviction, and invite tolerance versus conversion. Taking Southern out of our name is not going to fix that problem, it simply makes it official.
Chaplain Andrews says
“should we really be placing our identity in our denomination or its name”–yes, if it represents a set of beliefs that I hold dear. Also, if it is not important how many times do you change your name?
“i think a name change could potentially make clear our goal to reach the nations.”–I pray that you are correct, but changing the name doesn’t change the direction we are headed just makes it look better.
amanda says
“I have been a Southern Baptist all of my life. It is a part of my identity and a part of who I am. I guess I will have to remain a Baptist…but somewhere else.”
should we really be placing our identity in our denomination or its name? i think many people are simply holding on for tradition’s sake.
“Now, I will have to watch the SBC move from a missions organization to become a political party, a money making machine, and a leader of lulling people to sleep while the hell fire continues to burn.”
i think a name change could potentially make clear our goal to reach the nations. we are not a group confined to the south. let our name reflect our passion to reach the nations.
we have not lost our way….maybe we are finally finding it.
(i’ll agree with you on LifeWay)
Chaplain Andrews says
Thank you for your comments. There will be much disagreement during this time and we all have that right, and we should always respect that right. Thank you again for your comment.
I understand that there is negative connotations. But, by changing the name that is so tied to our heritage and our beliefs is a direction that will lead to further compromise.
This is not the answer. The answer is doing what the gospel preaches. Doing what the Southern Baptist’s of old set out to do and reach the lost. This is only a cosmetic change because people don’t believe that our foundations are worth anything at all.
Jonathan says
Chaplin Andrews, I have to respectfully disagree, I think if this is done correctly this could be a wonderful thing for the SBC and its members. I am involved in college ministry, and there are a lot of negative connotations that come to mind when college students find our that our church is apart of the SBC. I think this could be a huge step forward to reaching the next generation. Also, I don’t think that changing the name has to change the values and principles that the SBC has stood for and will continue to stand for. Just my thoughts, God Bless!