Southern Baptists approve alternate, unofficial name
Members of the Southern Baptist Convention narrowly accepted the alternate—but unofficial—name of “Great Commission Baptists” as the denomination attempts to reach beyond the Bible Belt.
Delegates meeting in New Orleans last month heatedly debated whether to affirm a recommendation from church leaders that congregations and other Southern Baptist organizations voluntarily use the “Great Commission” moniker. The term refers to Jesus’ command that his followers spread his message worldwide.
On the second day of their two-day meeting, officials announced June 20 that the unofficial name was approved with 53 percent in favor and 46 percent against. The debate on the first day immediately followed the election of Fred Luter as the denomination’s first African-American president.
