Saturday, April 29, 2017

A rose by any other name...

Have you heard about the name change for New Tribes Mission? It was officially announced last night that the new name will be Ethnos360.

The word “ethnos” comes from the New Testament Greek word meaning a tribe, nation, or people group. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations (ethnos), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”

Today New Tribes Mission works with many unreached people groups around the world which might not necessarily fit the definition of a “tribal group.” In some parts of the world the term “tribe” is considered demeaning. These are just a few factors NTM USA discussed as they considered a name change for the mission.

Change is often fraught with difficulties—especially when considering heritage and tradition. No doubt there will be bumps in the road during this time of transition.

So how do I feel about this name change? A line from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet comes to mind: “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet!” Juliet argues that it does not matter that Romeo is from the house of Montague and bears that despised name. She implies that the names of things do not affect what they really are.

The leadership of NTM USA desires that the name ETHNOS360 will reflect the goal of reaching many more unreached people groups around the world even if they are not what might typically be considered “tribal.”

We will be hearing more about this name change down the road. At this point I am not quite sure what all this will entail. Will I be getting a new email address using “@ethnos360.org?” Possibly. I will keep you posted regarding changes as I become aware of them.

For more information about the name change, check out:

https://ethnos360.org/about

I would appreciate your prayers for transitions for both myself to life in Florida and for NTM as we implement this change of names.

Bob

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Reformation Bondage

While freeing believers from the bondage of Rome, the Protestant Reformation brought them back, in large measure, under the bondage of Sinai. The Reformation took away one set of bindings, but bound the believers with another — and this has atrophied the spiritual life of multitudes. -Donald Grey Barnhouse

 

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