Southern Baptist panel recommends add-on to name

By Travis Loller

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Feb. 20 2012 8:05 p.m. MST

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2011 file photo, the headquarters of the Southern Baptist Convention is shown in Nashville, Tenn. The nation's largest protestant denomination will definitely remain "Baptist," but leaders are thinking about whether it will be "Southern" for much longer. Southern Baptist Convention President Bryant Wright was expected to present the recommendation of a task force assigned to study a name change to the denomination's executive committee at a meeting Monday night, Feb. 20, 2012.

Mark Humphrey, File, Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

Summary

A panel for the Southern Baptist Convention has recommended that its leadership approve a new, add-on description for the denomination, though it wouldn't be a legal name change.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A panel for the Southern Baptist Convention has recommended that its leadership approve a new, add-on description for the denomination, though it wouldn't be a legal name change.

It would be "Great Commission Baptists."

Officials described it as a way to give an official, sanctioned identity to affiliated churches and believers who don't want to use the term "Southern."

SBC President Bryant Wright, has said he is concerned that the "Southern" name is too regional and hinders the faith's effort to expand.

The panel rejected a complete name change, citing the legal costs and difficulties. They also noted the positive associations many hold with the Southern Baptist name, such as its disaster relief organization.

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