Evangelical Press Association to vote on dropping the ‘e-word’
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(RNS) — A group of prominent evangelical journalists is considering dropping the word “evangelical” from their name — saying the term has too much political baggage.
In early August , the board of the Evangelical Press Association, whose 300 members include publications like Christianity Today, World Magazine, Decision and the Christian Chronicle, recommended the group rebrand as the “Christian Communicators Network.”
“The recommendation recognizes that the word Evangelical increasingly carries political, cultural, and sociological meanings that often obscure its theological intent,” the EPA board wrote to members in recommending the change. “The word Christian, by contrast, is immediately understood around the world.”
EPA board members say the group’s theology will not change if members approve the change. Voting on the proposal closes on Oct. 7.
The move comes as other evangelicals have become more aggressive in defending the reputation of their movement — saying critics focus too much on politics and not enough on the good works of evangelicals.
Journalist Mark Kellner, an EPA…
