The Name Southern Baptist Could Be A Turn-Off To Potential Believers

The Southern Baptist Convention will remain named that exact name, but the nation's largest Protestant denomination has voted to allow for churches to use an alternative name that might give potential believers a little less wariness to join.

Even though many delegates opposed the new name, "Great Commission Baptists," the name is still allowed and is completely optional.

Supporters of the new name argued that it would help missionaries and new churches reach more people. The reason for the changes was due to an online poll by the Southern Baptist Convention. Lifeway Research showed that 44% of 2,000 Americans said that knowing if a church was Southern Baptist would turn them away.

The vote was very close with 53% voting in favor of the measure and 46% voted against it.

"Great Commission" refers to Jesus' command to his apostles to go forth and make disciples of all the nation.