Dropping the Baptist Name

[Earth Wind and Fire]

This exact topic came up at many Baptist churches just as I left the RCC in the 1990’s which confused the heck out of me. When I asked one Pastor why I was told to attract more Catholics, which had the exact reverse response from me and I then quit approaching Baptist Churches as potential new church homes.

http://www.tbaptist.com/clientimages/48350/challengerarticles/ashamed%20of%20the%20name%20baptist.pdf

 

[Dr. Bob]

Churches drop (or omit at founding) the name "Baptist" because of what is associated by the world with that name. They want to BE "baptistic" in polity but not tarred with the radical views or actions of some Baptist churches in the eyes of the community.

So, to remove perceived prejudice of the moniker, they drop ALL "denominational trapping" and become a "united" or "community" church. And cute names (way better than First Baptist, Second Baptist - I was baptized at Fourth Baptist so I can talk) like "Elevation Church", "New Life Fellowship", "The Bridge Church", "City Light Church", "Compass Church", "Journey Church", "Vineyard Community", "Hope Center", "Living Waters", "Cornerstone Church", "The Gathering Place", "Unveiled Church", "Resurgence Church", "Oasis Church", "Awaken Church", "Crossroads Church", "Firehouse Church".

In the 1980's I was Associate Pastor at "Grace Fundamental Church". Underneath the title was (A Baptist Church) to clarify. Revisited and the church moved to larger facilities a couple miles away AND changed its name to the simpler "Grace Baptist Church".

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Churches drop (or omit at founding) the name "Baptist" because of what is associated by the world with that name. They want to BE "baptistic" in polity but not tarred with the radical views or actions of some Baptist churches in the eyes of the community.

So, to remove perceived prejudice of the moniker, they drop ALL "denominational trapping" and become a "united" or "community" church. And cute names (way better than First Baptist, Second Baptist - I was baptized at Fourth Baptist so I can talk) like "Elevation Church", "New Life Fellowship", "The Bridge Church", "City Light Church", "Compass Church", "Journey Church", "Vineyard Community", "Hope Center", "Living Waters", "Cornerstone Church", "The Gathering Place", "Unveiled Church", "Resurgence Church", "Oasis Church", "Awaken Church", "Crossroads Church", "Firehouse Church".

In the 1980's I was Associate Pastor at "Grace Fundamental Church". Underneath the title was (A Baptist Church) to clarify. Revisited and the church moved to larger facilities a couple miles away AND changed its name to the simpler "Grace Baptist Church".

As I stated before, my area is replete with Catholic Churches so I was told that to encourage RC’s to join the church (formally Baptist) they have to change the name & drop Baptist.