Featured Name A Church

Around here you of course have First Baptist, Antioch, etc. Outside the common names, the rural churches are named after the creek, river, or lake they are closest to .

 

Does anyone know what Greater and Little signify in Baptist church naming?
Such as Greater Mount Zion or Little Salem...
Greater seems to be used especially by African-American Baptist churches; Little, by primitive Baptists.
Does it reflect the aspirations of each group?

 

Sometimes churches pick a name, or change the name, in order to avoid labels that have been vilified. There was a movement a few years back, where Baptist was removed from the name based on the idea it would improve outreach. God loves a generous giver, but "Church of the Generous Giver" might not draw visitors. OTOH, "Church of the Beloved" might be a winner.

 

Little is common among Old Regular, United and (I think) Separate Baptists as well, and I think it is more common in the Appalachian mountains than elsewhere."Little" in a church name is most likely used sort of in the sense of "insignificant (to the world)" and perhaps an expression of humility or a small beginning. "Little Hope" was, I thought, used exclusively among the Primitive Baptists, until I saw a sign many years ago for a Southern Baptist church near Canton, Texas called Little Hope Baptist Church. On the other hand, I have seen several Little Flock Baptist churches among Southern and Missionary Baptist. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some commonality of when these churches were organized and named. (IOW, I wouldn't expect to see too many Southern and Missionary Baptists organized in the 21st century to attach Little to their names.)

I think every Baptist church I have seen with Greater in the name was an African-American Baptist church. I think rsr's explanation is generally correct. On the other hand, Greater New Hope in Sherman's name change coincided with a change in location, which might speak more to aspirations (there is at least no mention of a church split).

 

I agree with what Brother Robert said but would like to add this... The church I grew up in was called Little Bethany Primitive Baptist Church and it was in San Diego, CA... My Dad who was a deacon and church clerk, I posed the question to him one time why our church had the name it did?... The little as Robert said was the saints of God in worship as they tried in their unworthy way to serve their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... Dad felt as the name for the church was chosen before he came on the scene, that was done in Bethany could in a similar sense be done in Little Bethany... Spiritual speaking that is?... Brother Glen

Bethany is a village on the Mount of Olives, less than 2 miles east of Jerusalem. It was the home of sisters Mary and Martha, and Lazarus, who was raised from the dead by Jesus.

It was also in Bethany that a woman poured a bottle of expensive perfume over Jesus' head while he was dining in the home of Simon the leper.
Jesus lodged in Bethany during his final days in Jerusalem, and the Palm Sunday procession started out from there. After Jesus had risen, he appeared to his followers (Luke 24:36), he then led them on the road to Bethany.
And somewhere on that road, he blessed his followers, and then rose up into Heaven (Luke 24:50-53). Today the village is named Al-Azariyya which is Arabic for Lazarus.
There is a church there called The Church of St. Lazarus, and a chapel called The Chapel of the Ascension.
Bethany appears in 11 Bible verses: Matt 21:17, Matt 26:6, Mark 11:1, Mark 11:11, Mark 11:12, Mark 14:3, Luke 19:29, Luke 24:50, John 11:1, John 11:18 and John 12:1.

 

What if you name the church after..... Well, never mind.

 

A good name, but in our town, it's the name of the local Church of God (Anderson) congregation...

 

Assembly of Sinners Baptist Church?

 

You shouldn't use that much duplication in a name!

 

The Goat Pen.

 

I would choose Faith Baptist Church. My church actually went through a name change not that long ago. We were called Grace Missionary Baptist Church and we are now called New City Church.
We are still Baptist even though we do not have it in our name!

 

A good name would also be Risen Baptist Church.