By Editor J. Randal Matheny
(BNc)- The trial site, World Gospel News, continues to evolve in preparation for its official launch in February. Part of that process involved a change of names Jan. 29.
The new name is “BrotherhoodNews.com,” complete with the domain ending, .com. The domain name also changes from http://churchofchristnews.org to http://brotherhoodnews.com.
The abbreviation for the news site is “BNc,” with the small “c” reflecting the inclusion of .com as a part of the name.
Update Links, Avoid Confusion
If a website has already added the site as WGN to its list of links or resource page, it is suggested using the new name and domain, since those will be the appropriate ones to list, especially after the site leaves the free hosted service.
The change avoids any confusion of the WGN abbreviation with the television station, as well as with other entities that use “world” or “gospel” in their names.
Since the term “brotherhood” is commonly used among the congregations, it was deemed fitting for the site. It also expresses a warmer, more personal approach, brotherhood as family, as a network of Christians aware that they belong to one another.
Brotherhood in the New Testament
The Greek term behind the translation of “brotherhood” (adelphotes), a collective noun, occurs only twice in the New Testament, both times in 1 Peter.
In the first instance, Peter writes, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17 ESV). It is exactly this love for the brotherhood which prompts the efforts of BNc as a news site devoted to the work of God among us.
In the second instance, Peter urges, “Resist him [the devil], firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:19). The beloved apostle understands that an awareness of what is happening around the world in the brotherhood is a wonderful means of encouragement and strength to those who undergo similar trials and experiences.
For us the word brotherhood captures in a marvelous way that need for awareness of God’s mercy at work in his people; it well describes the task before us, to register a small portion of that rich ministry and diverse activity among a great people who belong to the Lord and give him glory by their bold proclamation and humble service in the world.
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