Changing church name

[catofhope]

I just moved to a new area and settling into the big Baptist church there.
The pastor and wife paid me a home visit.
When I asked which Baptist denom they are they said just independent which is fine.

Then he went on to say they are thinking of renaming the church to just be a "Community" church.
The leadership and all would still be Baptist just the name change.

They do a lot of outreach and want people comfortable coming in.
The pastor mentioned there was a non-practicing Catholic that wants to check the church out.
They pastor said he apparently would feel odd going to a "Baptist" church but a "Community" church would not sound so bad.

While I understand the thought I still find it odd.
But then again if changing the name of the church draws more people in why not.

I also have pastor friend who is a Methodist but serves in a church of both Methodist and Baptist.
They use to have separate services but now are united in most things - they may still tithe separately.
Right now that church still has Methodist in the title as well as "Union" to show the unity.
But I think that church too, which does a lot of outreach, may consider changing their name to "Community".

Any of your Baptist churches called "community" instead?

[MikeMcK]

Many years ago, when I was a part of Delran Baptist in NJ, that was a big controversy.

When we were scheduled to move into our new building, some wanted to change the name of the church from Delran Baptist Church to Delran Community Church because they felt that "Baptist" was a little off-putting to some.

We actually had people leave over this issue. At the time, I really didn't care one way or the other (now, though, I'd fight it tooth and nail) and left the church myself shortly after that, for an unrelated reason.

I believe they changed the name only to reflect that they were no longer in Delran, but were now in Moorestown. I believe "Baptist" stayed.

Besides, if they'd taken "Baptist" out of the name, they would have to have gotten all new softball uniforms.

[catofhope]

they felt that "Baptist" was a little off-putting to some.
Maybe I am naive but why do some think Baptist off-putting?
Is it just Baptist or any specific denomination?

:scratch:

[HumbleMan]

I personally don't think it's an issue. A church should be known for what it teaches, not what's in it's name. I know some very liberal baptist churches, and some very conservative "Community" and "Fellowship" churches.

If someone wants to hold onto the name out of pride in being a baptist, then they need to re-think the purpose of the church.

[MikeMcK]

Maybe I am naive but why do some think Baptist off-putting?
Is it just Baptist or any specific denomination?

:scratch:

Because I think we're known more for what we're against than for what we're for.

When some people hear "Baptist", they cringe, thinking of judgemental, Elmer Gantry types.

That's unfair and it's undeserved, but that's just the way it is.

[BereanTodd]

Maybe I am naive but why do some think Baptist off-putting?
Is it just Baptist or any specific denomination?

:scratch:

Baptist carries a lot of negative name rep, especially amongst the unchurched, because of their reputation for legalism and anti-intellectualism amongst some.

[lucypevensie]

Our church dropped baptist from its name. Not because we ashamed or something. Because it truly was a hindrance to drawing people in. We still are a baptist church in tradition though. It is no secret to visitors once they read our mission statement what we are. We live in a lutheran/catholic region, and so many of those people would not dare to set foot in a baptist (gasp!) church. They find out that we are quite normal folks.