Comments on: Aspect 4(a): A Mission Focused on This Nation (Confront the Brutal Facts)

By: Louis

Louis — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:00:06 +0000

Roger:

I am the “King of Typos” in this medium. If I ran a blog, I would be much more careful.

But as a commenter, I am sloppy. There’s only so much time.

Your typos are much less than mine.

Louis

By: Roger K. Simpson

Roger K. Simpson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:38:44 +0000

Sorry, I had a few typos in my previous comment.

The next to last paragraph should read “I don’t know what objections have been raised BY those opposed to a name change”

In the last paragraph make the following change: “ON [not ONE] a “theological triage” scale . . . . “

By: Roger K. Simpson

Roger K. Simpson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:23:18 +0000

Louis:

I don’t know if there has been any research (such as focus groups) regarding any negative conotation of the SBC name in non-Bible Belt areas.

I have no problem myself with changing the name — my only point is that I am not aware of any evidence that suggests that “regional” names for church bodies are a drawback for the denominations using them.

I don’t know what the objections have been raised but those opposed to a name change.

To me changing the name is no big deal either way. I just don’t think it makes much difference. One a “theological triage” scale I think the SBC name is neither primary, secondary, or tertiary. Instead it is quartiary (if there is such a word).

By: Louis

Louis — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:18:56 +0000

Roger:

Great to hear from you, as always.

I honestly don’t know how big an impediment the name is. I would be interested in seeing some info (research) from the Northeast, Midwest and Western regions But why are we so wed to it? Why not change it?

I was reading a history of the Christian Life Commission and discovered that there was discussion about doing this years ago (may 6 or 7 decades ago). I was surprised to find that.

But arent’ you glad the formerly “Baptist Bookstores” have changed their name to “LifeWay”? I wonder what LifeWay’s internal research showed on that one?

Louis

By: Bruce Ashford

Bruce Ashford — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:27:23 +0000

Roger, I would agree that re-naming the Convention is a more minor issue than the other issues.

Robert, great question. Ultimately, the goal is for Spanish language speakers to have their own church. Maybe the best thing is for your to lead your church to view itself as a “church planting church” and give them the goal of planting a new church or two over the next several years. You’ll have to pray that God sends you the right Spanish speaking person/s to lead the ministry. In the meantime, it sure wouldn’t hurt for you to learn some Spanish yourself… and maybe challenges some folks in your church to do the same. Doing so will give your church a tangible way to be missional.

By: Robert Wise

Robert Wise — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:07:24 +0000

Great post – in small rural churches, where our community is changing – any advice on language barriers? We have a diverse congregation already, black, white, indian, sometimes a hispanic. I feel we could reach a lot more hispanics if not for the language barrier. DO we pray for a hispanic pastor and do a second service? Any advice?

By: Roger K. Simpson

Roger K. Simpson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:17:53 +0000

I don’t see any problem with changing the name of our denomination to something other than “Southern Baptist Convention”. However, I don’t think that our geographically limiting name is a big deal in retarding our witness.

There are a number of other examples of local or regional names for church groups: Roman Catholic, Missouri Synod Lutherans, Church of God – Anderson Indiana, etc. I don’t think there is any evidence to support that these groups are being impeded due to their name.

We need to look elsewhere for growth rather than changing our name to something like “North American Baptist Convention”.

By: Bruce Ashford

Bruce Ashford — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:12:50 +0000

Bryan, your question is an interesting one, and I’m afraid I don’t have an interesting answer for it. Sometimes small churches in rural areas are thriving. I spent years preaching in rural churches and often saw lively faith. In other churches, a particular type of cultural Christianity reigned, as church members were members b/c in a small community that was the proper thing for an upstanding person to do…. As for insight: Be gospel-centered and grace-centered in your life and teaching, and be patient… do discipleship in a life-on-life manner (which i talk about in a later installment of this series) so that they see you share the gospel, teach the word, practice your faith in everyday settings, etc. Finally, learn the culture. Hang out where they hang out, learn their language, etc. In a nutshell preach (and live) the gospel in a way that is both faithful and meaningful.

By: Bruce Ashford

Bruce Ashford — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:06:15 +0000

Louis, I agree with everything you said. In particular, using our various vocations/callings as places from which to minister. God has called each of to a workplace, a family, a church, and a community… Each one is a unique dimension of life entrusted to us by God to live out our faith for his glory. When we take those four callings seriously, it is hard to allow ourselves to be disengaged from the broader society and culture.

By: Bryan Rabon

Bryan Rabon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:33:02 +0000

Dr. Ashford,
All of the posts in this series have been great, thank you for you insight. I have a question. I pastor a small church in rural South Carolina in an area that has other small churches much like ours. The problem we seem to have is apathy on the part of church members and in the community at large. I have tried several different types of outreach methods and have met with very little success. I am beginning to think that I may culturally illiterate in this particular context. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can reach this very rural, very apathetic community? Thanks.
Bryan