Southern Baptist leader suggests name change
Does the Southern Baptist Convention need a new name? The president
of the nation's largest Protestant denomination, Bryant Wright, who is
also a pastor in Marietta, Georgia, says the idea should be explored
again for the sake of evangelistic success alone.
"The name
'Southern' really no longer reflects who we are as a convention in
reaching all of North America," Wright said in a video posted on the
Pray4SBC.com website. He added that the word doesn't play well in places
like Boston, New York, Idaho, Wyoming and Michigan. "With 'Southern' in
the name, it's really a barrier in seeking to do ministry in areas like
that," he said.
Wright's plans, announced at a SBC Executive
Committee meeting September 19, sparked debate, according to Baptist
Press, the denomination's news outlet. Some committee members said the
plan should be reviewed by lawyers or voted on first by Baptists at
their annual meeting next June, but both recommendations were voted
down.
