WSMV Channel 4 Southern Baptist churches consider name change

Southern Baptist leaders hope 14 is a lucky number when it comes to a name change option. A task force recently recommended the Southern Baptist Convention provide a name option for churches.  

A name task force recommended the Southern Baptist Convention provide church's with an official optional name. Chairman Jimmy Draper says it's complicated to legally change the SBC's name. But adds they did want to give people an option who don't embrace the "Southern" part of the name.

"There are people particularly like in the African-American community, we had two African-American pastors on there who would have favored a legal name change, they see this as a great step forward," Draper said.

Pastor Steven Lindsay from South Dakota says he came to Nashville excited about a possible name change. But Lindsay says the current name is associated with many positive efforts including disaster relief.

"When 9/11 happened, when Katrina happened the Southern Baptist were there for disaster relief and we became known as the Southern Baptist, so you have a lot of equity built up and to do away with that would be kind of a determent," Lindsay said.

The Southern Baptist Convention first considered name change back in 1903. The issues has come up 13 times since.

Draper says their recommendation will now go before the Southern Baptist Convention this summer for a vote. Draper adds he thinks the name option, Great Commission Baptists, will be approved.

Still, all Southern Baptist Churches are independent and can call themselves whatever they like, name option or not.

Copyright WSMV 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.