Southern Baptist pastors split on 'Great Commission' name

More than half of the pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention do not intend to use the name "Great Commission Baptists" in communication about their church, although 40 percent say they have not discussed the issue or decided, according to a survey by LifeWay Research.

The survey also reveals more than 70 percent of pastors agree the name "Southern Baptist Convention" should continue to be used.

LifeWay Research conducted a random survey of more than 1,000 SBC pastors in light of the task force appointed by SBC President Bryant Wright to study a possible name change for the 167-year-old convention. The report of the task force, delivered in February during the president's report to the SBC Executive Committee, recommended the convention maintain its legal name but adopt "Great Commission Baptists" as an informal, non-legal name for churches and entities that want to use it. The Executive Committee approved the president's recommendation, and SBC messengers will consider the recommendation during the annual meeting in New Orleans June 19-20. The LifeWay data was released June 8.

LifeWay Research asked the question: "Do you agree that the Southern Baptist Convention should continue to be the name for this convention?" and found 72 percent of pastors agree (strongly or somewhat) the name should continue to be used. Twenty-three percent disagree and 5 percent "don't know."

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Buck

The name is irelevant , what is important is the work accomplished and in keeping with the commandments and tenants of GOD and Christ . There is way too much of bending his word just to be acceptable to todays society ..
Bree

In today's world a name is everything because it defines you. Think of some names such as Reagan, Pepsi, Niki and you know immediately what to expect. I think "Great Commission Baptists" is an excellent choice if they are considering an option because it is scriptually based on the great commission Jesus gave to his disciples when he left them to carry out the gospel, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16)
- wesley
  
  you know using Mark 16:15 is not the best way to go for Mark 16:9-20 were plagiarized from other parts of scripture for early Greek manuscripts end at Mark 16:8. the Great Commission is Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: you need to start at the right point to begin with.
- Tom
  
  Except that wouldn't it look bad to the world that they took 150 years to figure out they were about the Great Commission? Hopefully, God has known that they were busy about it the entire time….
  - Guest
    
    I'm pretty sure God is very familiar with the 'great commission' practiced by Southern Baptist churches having grown up in SB church and been a member from age 12. They are very into 'sending' as well as going, preaching, baptizing. Many are the saints in heaven who have come by way of SB missionaries.
msjallen

The rise of denominationalism is human power used to substitute for Divine Power. The “church” is not a denomination or religion; it is all those who believe in Jesus Christ as their savior. The Bible is our guide to live the spiritual way of life.
- http://www.sargee5.blogspot.com The Watchman
  
  Well said. Jesus Christ did not establish a religious denomination. Jesus had but one doctrine and that was everlasting life was through Him, and only through HIm. Not through Him and Muhammad, Buddha, or self glorrification or works, but through acceptance of Jesus as Savior.
http://www.sargee5.blogspot.com The Watchman

The name certainly is irrelevant. As long as the Baptist churches preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they don't lose focus of the Salvation Message. As long as they continue to preach that hell exists and unsaved people will end up there,and that the only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ.
- Red Eagle
  
  Mr watchman , would you mind telling me what the word hell in the hebrew and or greek means
  - KnowTheTruthToday
    
    Many people in this country speak English – very few speak Greek and Hebrew – pretty clear what it means in English, don't you think?
  - http://www.sargee5.blogspot.com The Watchman
    
    Does it really matter Red Eagle? In Biblical translations from the words "Sheol" meaning to ask or demand, or being insatiable, or "Sheol" meaning the congregation of the dead. (Meaning dead in Christ, Biblically speaking) In Greek there is Hades and Gehenna a place of the lost. In English, it can mean many and all terrible things. The most terrible of all, is the eternal separation from God. Hell is a place of damnation, total darkness, because without God there is no light. Hell will be hot, dark and lonely. The most important thing to remember is: You don't want to spend the rest eternity there. Jesus through His sacrifice for all man and the forgiveness of sins, sits in Heavens Mercy Seat and is our intercessor. He has paid the price for our sins, and saved us from hell, and all we have to do is accept Christ as our savior. What "hell" means in Greek or Hebrew, or Aramaic or Egyptian is irrelevant. Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the light, no one comes to the Father, but through me."
    - Steve03
      
      The Watchman knows what the text means. What the words of the text mean is a matter of complete indifference. It's not like the Bible was written in foreign languages or something.
      - http://www.sargee5.blogspot.com The Watchman
        
        Now your comments make no sense whatsoever. Do you ever think before writing? <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: bookman old style, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 14pt"> <DIV style="FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 0; MARGIN: 5px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0px; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 0px"></DIV>
Michael Payne

Honor
Ithamar

If modern Southern Baptist continue to do silly things like apologize for slavery and proclaiming Palagian/Arminian theological beliefs thereby slandering and giving the lie to their forefathers, I would prefer that they dropped Southers from their name.