‘Great Commission Baptists’ adopted by slim margin

Posted by Eric Reed

(New Orleans) — The outcome of Tuesday’s ballot on adopting the optional use of ‘Great Commission Baptists’ in addition to the official name Southern Baptist Convention was announced this morning– it was approved by a 52.48% vote.

The announcement of the tally was delayed yesterday, after a hand vote was too close to call and a ballot vote was required. Messengers debated the “name change” which would allow churches and SBC entities to use the descriptor, without changing the official name of the SBC.

The narrow margin of the vote reflects both strong opinions and ambivalence over the change, which would lessen the regional nature of the convention’a name. Floor debate included memorable comments from advocates. One church planter who was on the committee that recommended the name change said, “This motion helps church planters outside the south build a bridge to share Jesus.”

Another advocate, Micah Freeze of St. Joseph, MIssouri, said, “We are an incredibility diverse people. As we polled those Southern Baptists who live in the frontier areas, they said to us with strong voice that this would help them advance the gospel. For those who live in the hard areas, to push back the darkness, I don’t see how we can say no to them.”

But Gary Honeycutt of Arkansas countered, “I don’t care what you call your church, I care what you call the convention.”

Ted Traylor, pastor of Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, Florida, observed this morning, “I’m note sure we’re going to help ourselves by having a name and a half. We may just cause confusion….If Gateway Seminary wants to use the name, and it will help them, that’s good. But in New Orleans, being Southern Baptist is a good thing—especially after Hurricane Katrina. And in New York, after 9/11.”

The use of the description “Great Commission Baptists” will be a the discretion of local churches.