Changing Names Acknowledges Changing Times
by Charlie McLaughlin,
Associate Coordinator

When I was a little boy, I remember times when my Dad would take me to the annual meeting of the Mexican Baptist Convention (MBC). As most of you know, he was the State Missions Director for BGCT, and he had a heart for reaching the growing Hispanic population for Christ. So when the opportunity came for me to return to the MBC last May, I took one of my daughters, Melissa, and we headed out to Lubbock.

I did not know I would be attending the “last” annual meeting of the “Mexican Baptist Convention of Texas.” It was my privilege to watch as the vote was taken to change their name to the more inclusive “Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas,” (HBC).

The name change brought about some good discussion from the floor as folks commented from the microphones. Part of the issues related to a name change is past heritage and present identity. They seemed to be asking, “How do we preserve our cultural identity and go forward with the reality of change (the growth of Hispanic groups not from Mexico)?”

As I listened to men and women address the issue of the name change, I was impressed by the personal nature of their struggle. Several expressed pride in their Mexican heritage but were urgent in their appeal that it was time for a change. One stated, “Three years ago I was against this name change. Now God has convinced me that I was wrong and I sought forgiveness for my stubbornness. It is time for a change.”

A letter from a pastor stated that he had representatives from seventeen different countries in the congregation. It was not a Mexican-only church. He pleaded for the name to be changed to Hispanic to be more inclusive, more accepting of the present reality in churches and anticipating further diversity of ethnic origins. Persons from other native lands do not consider themselves to be Mexican, but are comfortable with the broader term Hispanic. Also a number of American-born Hispanics feel the term is more inclusive for them, even though they have a Mexican heritage.

Messengers to the meeting voted overwhelmingly for the name change. Individual change is difficult, but for a corporate body to change, the difficulties multiply. I commend any group that responds positively to the reality of change.

This name change is an important reminder of how Texas is changing. The mission field has moved to us. According to Dr. Pinson there are eight to ten million unchurched persons in Texas. That is greater than the total population of 42 of the states. Before the decade ends there will be an additional two million unchurched persons. Four to five million unchurched in Texas are Hispanic. Texas is changing and it will continue to do so. Texas is a mission field.

However, Texas is also a mission base. One aspect of the plan for Texas 2000 is to start 1,400 new churches by the year 2000. The strategy of Vision 2000 is to have 600 Hispanic new churches. Since 1993, BGCT has started 528 new churches with 196, or 37 percent, of those being Hispanic.

For years the HBC has emphasized that the HBC and the BGCT must cooperate closely in order to reach the goals of impacting Texas with the message of Jesus Christ.

I remember my Dad giving the same emphasis about working together, each Texas Baptist church cooperating and giving to our State Missions Offering. When one reflects on all the work the Mary Hill Davis offering for State Missions will provide in furthering the cause of Christ, it motivates us to prayer, cooperation and giving.

September 1996