Question and Answer

Q and A

by Amy Gentry

Q: Why did the Southern Baptist Convention change its name?

A: This past summer during an annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, an alternative name was successfully voted in by a slim margin, 53% to 46%.  “Great Commission Baptist.”  How will an alternate name be used?  According to www.christianpost.com,

“The measure, effective immediately, allows churches affiliated with the SBC to call themselves by the new descriptor "Great Commission Baptists" to indicate their involvement with the denomination. Churches of the SBC have the option of using the informal, non-legal name as a stand-alone title, together with the SBC formal name, or not at all.”

The official name for the past 167 years will remain the same.  Supporters of the alternate name say the word “Southern” has been a hindrance to evangelism for church planters.  Southern Baptist churches are reaching into all 50 states causing the name “Southern” to be too geographically labeling.  Supporters believe the alternate name will be more inviting to churches throughout the country and thus a more inviting name to those seeking a house of worship.

 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20