tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943624452162362470.post3925428665050562726..comments2013-06-22T15:39:46.205-04:00Comments on Be My Witnesses: What's in a name?Todd Benkerthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01946569777635522966noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943624452162362470.post-65784069440370984232007-11-07T12:51:00.000-05:002007-11-07T12:51:00.000-05:00Just for the record (this is not to you, James, bu...Just for the record (this is not to you, James, but for my other readers), it is my opinion that whatever negative perception exists locally about our seminary has been quite influenced by a less than sympathetic press. I, for one, am generally pleased with the direction and leadership of our fine seminary. <BR/><BR/>Still, James' testimony illustrates the point: labels communicate a message and it may not be the message you intend.Todd Benkerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01946569777635522966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943624452162362470.post-49477215506571871562007-11-07T11:59:00.000-05:002007-11-07T11:59:00.000-05:00Todd,I appreciate where you are coming from and gi...Todd,<BR/><BR/>I appreciate where you are coming from and given that I have had to explain being Southern Baptist multiple times in the past couple of months, I fully understand your concerns about artificial road blocks. (Being in the same city as Southern Seminary and its leadership tends to skew peoples perception of all Southern Baptists)<BR/><BR/>If starting a ministry/planting a church who's purpose is missional, I think one would be justified in the approach you mention in your post.<BR/><BR/>Others know better than I, but I only remember it being the Billy Graham Ministry, not the Billy Graham Southern Baptist Ministry. Seems like a pretty good precedenceJameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09281279857732089667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943624452162362470.post-35314120217365336992007-11-06T20:45:00.000-05:002007-11-06T20:45:00.000-05:00James, thanks for being faithful to provide your c...James, thanks for being faithful to provide your comments.I understand your point of view. Personally, I am more concerned about the ability to reach the lost that to reach the average consumer Christian.<BR/><BR/>The main justification for leaving denomination out of the church name is if by doing so, you might remove an artificial barrier that might otherwise prevent the gospel from receiving a hearing. <BR/><BR/>More on this in the next post. I would also recommend the KBC links in my post. My main point in THIS post is that we not judge a church or its church planter by what is NOT in their name.<BR/><BR/>Blessings!<BR/>-- ToddTodd Benkerthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01946569777635522966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-943624452162362470.post-56026984600689624162007-11-06T14:01:00.000-05:002007-11-06T14:01:00.000-05:00For what it's worth, I would not attend a church t...For what it's worth, I would not attend a church that was not willing to denote it's denominational affiliation up front, either in their name or on their signage.<BR/><BR/>If a church feels that public perception of its denomination is detrimental to its ability to reach potential members, it should work to change the perception of the denomination, not hide behind anonimity.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09281279857732089667noreply@blogger.com