Is it really that importatant for a Baptist church to have the name "Baptist" in their name?

[Jerome]

It's a practice which, at its core, is designed to be, at best, ambiguous and at worst outright dishonest and deceitful.

Yes, the latter. The notorious 'Highpoint Memphis" church (google it) was being discussed at Baptist Voices and posters kept insisting the church was not Southern Baptist, but nondenominational!

Turns out the pastor has been presenting it as nondenominational, despite it being a church plant of Germantown Baptist and the state convention.

Pastor Christ Conlee, Highpoint Memphis

Highpoint, a non-denominational church

yet:

SBC Directory - Highpoint Memphis

Mid-South Baptist Association Directory - Highpoint Memphis

Super sketchy.

 

[Calypsis4]

I think the Baptist moniker is helpful but not necessary. I am more concerned with what comes out of the pulpit and whether the members show the love of Christ.

I concur with that.

 

[Darrell C]

Not too long ago my church decided to change the name of the church for several reasons (I will mention those reasons). We went from Grace Missionary Baptist Church to New City Church. Because we took the name 'Baptist" out of our name, many of our brethren from other sister churches have given us a hard time because of it. A pastor even accused us of not being Baptist because we took the name "Baptist" out of our name.

Reasons why we changed our name:

1. There were too many churches around us with the name "Grace" and we were being confused for another church.

2. Our name was too long and it was hard for people to remember our name when we evangelized.

3. There are some Bapticostal churches around us with the name "Missionary" in it and we didn't want to be confused with that denomination.

4. My church wanted a simpler and basic name so that people can remember us easier.

5. We chose "New City" after the New Jerusalem where we will live with God in eternity. Our slogan is "New Life leads to New City."


Reasons why we decided to not leave "Baptist" in our name:

1. Most unchurched people do not know what a "Baptist" is and may not even know if we are a "Christian" church (I had a situation when someone asked me if we were Christians). So we didn't want people to not come to our church just because our name has "Baptist" in it.

2. Most Baptists are already in a Baptist church so we want to promote ourselves as a Christian church. We are not looking for Baptists to join our church (though they are welcomed of course), we are looking for the unchurched since most of our city does not go to any church.

3. We do not have to have the name "Baptist" in our name to be Baptist, so our church didn't have a problem with removing "Baptist."

4. Jesus never gave His church a name so we felt comfortable with making a change to our name.


We are still Baptist. Our doctrine has not changed and it will not change!


What is your opinion on this? Is it right that others are giving us a hard time over this?

My wife and I are currently doing a lot of visiting in order to find a new Church Home, and I will be honest, we usually visit fellowships with Baptist in the name. We have tried a few Such and Such Christian Churches, and every one of them has been charismatic. So I think most people are going to go to a fellowship with Baptist in the name because of their doctrinal position, whereas a more generic name is likely to attract those who do not give too much attention to doctrine. Or the opposite, it will attract those who are "non-denominational," which usually means the fellowship is a denomination...charismatic.

But the bottom line is this, when people visit your Church they are either going to stay because of the Doctrine and Practice of the Church, or they are going to leave. That's how it usually works. The name really isn't a game-changer in my view, and might even give the opportunity to get some folk who usually go to non-denominational fellowships under some sound Theology.

In regards to the comments about "deceiving" people by being Baptist and not making that clear, I just don't see it. What I do see as deceitful are charismatic/pentecostal churches including Baptist in their name (i.e., Bible Believing Baptist, Holiness Baptist, etc.).

I will say this, though: when I was first saved and witnessing to people, often when people asked what denomination I was and I responded Baptist there were numerous times an acknowledgement that "Baptists know their Bibles." I think Baptists do stand out from other denominations, despite the fact there are so many different types, lol.

I will just say I hope it works out for you guys, and if your purpose is to serve God and preach the Gospel, God will reward that sincerity. So good luck with the name change, and remember, its not the name that makes the Christian.


God bless.

 

[Felipe Rios]

My wife and I are currently doing a lot of visiting in order to find a new Church Home, and I will be honest, we usually visit fellowships with Baptist in the name. We have tried a few Such and Such Christian Churches, and every one of them has been charismatic. So I think most people are going to go to a fellowship with Baptist in the name because of their doctrinal position, whereas a more generic name is likely to attract those who do not give too much attention to doctrine. Or the opposite, it will attract those who are "non-denominational," which usually means the fellowship is a denomination...charismatic.

But the bottom line is this, when people visit your Church they are either going to stay because of the Doctrine and Practice of the Church, or they are going to leave. That's how it usually works. The name really isn't a game-changer in my view, and might even give the opportunity to get some folk who usually go to non-denominational fellowships under some sound Theology.

In regards to the comments about "deceiving" people by being Baptist and not making that clear, I just don't see it. What I do see as deceitful are charismatic/pentecostal churches including Baptist in their name (i.e., Bible Believing Baptist, Holiness Baptist, etc.).

I will say this, though: when I was first saved and witnessing to people, often when people asked what denomination I was and I responded Baptist there were numerous times an acknowledgement that "Baptists know their Bibles." I think Baptists do stand out from other denominations, despite the fact there are so many different types, lol.

I will just say I hope it works out for you guys, and if your purpose is to serve God and preach the Gospel, God will reward that sincerity. So good luck with the name change, and remember, its not the name that makes the Christian.


God bless.

I appreciate your comment. Thank you