Board recommends “Christian Communicators Network,” saying the word evangelical now carries political and cultural meanings that can obscure its theological meaning
The Evangelical Press Association is asking its members to consider a major change: removing the word “evangelical” from the organization’s name.
Proposed name: Christian Communicators Network
The EPA board has recommended rebranding the organization as the Christian Communicators Network. Voting on the proposal closes Oct. 7, according to Religion News Service.
The association represents about 300 Christian publications and media organizations, including Christianity Today, Decision and the Christian Chronicle.
In explaining the proposal, the board said the word evangelical increasingly carries political, cultural and sociological meanings that can obscure its theological intent. Board members have said the organization’s theological commitments would not change under the proposed name.
Members disagree over the change
The proposal has generated debate among Christian journalists and communicators.
Some supporters say a broader name could help the association reach Christian communicators who share its theological commitments but do not commonly identify themselves with the evangelical label.
Critics argue that evangelical remains a meaningful theological term and that abandoning it because of current cultural or political associations could create more confusion rather than less.
Theology would remain evangelical
EPA leaders have emphasized that changing the organization’s public name would not change its doctrinal identity or membership standards.
The vote highlights a broader discussion within American Christianity about the difference between “evangelical” as a theological description and the way the term is used in politics, polling and popular culture.
Source: Religion News Service, Sept. 30, 2026.
