Baptist group keeps it simple

Oklahoma's Southern Baptist leaders decided this week that when it comes to branding, simplest is best.

For 113 years, the state's affiliate of the Southern Baptist Convention has carried the title of Baptist General Convention of the State of Oklahoma. From now on, the organization publicly will be called “Oklahoma Baptists.”

“People can understand that,” said the Rev. Hance Dilbeck, executive directortreasurer. “Who are we? Oklahoma Baptists. What do we do? Encourage one another to advance the Gospel.”

The rebranding was the result of surveys conducted among staff, several pastors and top leaders. The organization's board approved the change in September. It was rolled out this week at the denomination's annual meeting.

The rebranding is part of an initiative called “Advance 2020” that includes a goal of increasing giving by $600,000 to the organization's Cooperative Program funding mechanism. Meeting that goal could result in donations totaling $1 million or more to various Southern Baptist Convention entities.

Separately, attendees approved several resolutions including one calling for an end to abortion. They amended the resolution to take a decisive stance. It reads:: “Finally, we call on the Oklahoma State Legislature to enact legislation for the immediate end of abortion without exception or compromise.”

Once again, they kept it simple.

Sign proposal should be put on hold

Two Republican state senators have caused a fuss by proposing that a 4-mile stretch of Route 66 be named in honor of President Trump. A bill by Sens. Nathan Dahm of Broken Arrow and Marty Quinn of Claremore would involve a piece of the highway near Commerce, in far northeastern Oklahoma. Dahm says the signs could spur conversations about Trump and his accomplishments. The proposal prompted criticism instead, including from some Republicans. One of them, Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, said using Route 66 would “dilute” the experience provided by historic highway. Democratic Sen. Ben Loring of Miami urged Dahm and Quinn to choose another spot. A better idea would be to drop this plan at least until Trump's time in office is completed, whether that's after one term or two.

Agitator not helping gun owners' cause

Timothy Harper likes to cause a stir. A self-described “auditor” of the Second Amendment, Harper, 52, of Choctaw, regularly livestreams himself openly carrying a rifle or other weapon in public places in Oklahoma. Harper says he's trying to educate police about gun laws and make others more comfortable with people who openly carry. At least one patron at a local restaurant was not comfortable with Harper sporting his rifle.

Police arrested Harper and said he broke a state law that bans possessing or carrying a rifle in places where alcoholic beverages are consumed. If convicted, Harper faces up to two years in prison and a $1,000 fine. He has been banned as a member of the Second Amendment Association, which recently issues a release critical of Harper. Addressing state residents, the group offered this sound advice: “Don't let one person be considered the norm for Oklahoma gun owners.”

`Civic Saturday' comes to Oklahoma City

A movement begun in Seattle soon after Donald Trump's election as president comes to Oklahoma City on Saturday. It's called “Civic Saturday” and is hosted by a nonprofit organization called Citizen University. On its website, the group says it dreams of a country “in which Americans are steeped in a sense of civic character, educated in the tools of civic power, and are problem-solving contributors in a self-governing community.” Co-founder Eric Liu, a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and later Clinton's domestic policy adviser, tells The Oklahoman's Bill Crum that Civic Saturdays are spreading “because they speak to a yearning people have to feel connected to something constructive.” The Oklahoma City event is from 10:30 a.m. to noon at The Paramount Room, 701 W. Sheridan Ave. Admission is free.