Atlanta Association still reeling
over debate on two gay-friendly churches
___By John Pierce & Bob Allen
___Associated Baptist Press
___ATLANTA (ABP)--Two Georgia Baptist churches under fire for welcoming and affirming homosexuals survived a second ouster vote from their local association March 12.
___However, Atlanta Baptist Association approved by a required two-thirds majority a new bylaw excluding any church "which knowingly takes, or has taken, any action to affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior."
___But a separate vote to sever ties with two churches earlier removed from the Georgia Baptist Convention for pro-gay stances fell short of a required two-thirds majority, with association messengers voting 254-188 for expulsion.
___Observers said they were confused by the seeming discrepancy between the two ballots. Referral of yet a third motion on church discipline to the association's membership committee suggested the issue isn't yet dead.
___Most people speaking for expulsion at a packed First Baptist Church of Hapeville, Ga., however, appeared more interested in starting a new association. About 50 individuals met Feb. 22 to take initial steps to form a new organization tentatively called Metro Atlanta Baptist Association.
___Earlier in the March 12 meeting of Atlanta Association, messengers accepted the requested withdrawal of the 6,000-member Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker, Ga. About 20 of the association's 153 congregations are said to be considering joining the rival association.
___The semi-annual meeting marked the second time in six weeks that Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga., and Virginia-Highland Baptist Church in inner-city Atlanta survived votes to withdraw fellowship. Both churches admit gays and lesbians as members and include them in leadership positions.
___That is contrary to stated positions of both Georgia Baptists and the Southern Baptist Convention that homosexual behavior is sinful. Georgia Baptists voted to revoke membership status from the two churches in 1999. Both the former Southern Baptist congregations have ceased affiliation with the SBC while relating to both the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Alliance of Baptists.
___The SBC in 1992 changed its constitution to ban churches that sanction homosexuality. The Fellowship recently adopted a value statement described by its top leader as "welcoming but not affirming" of gays. The new policy allows gay-friendly churches to be part of the CBF but forbids direct funding of theology schools that have open-admissions policies that include sexual orientation. The Alliance of Baptists, meanwhile, welcomes gays and supports churches that affirm homosexuals.
___Defenders of a Jan. 30 vote by Atlanta Association to retain the two churches said it was not meant to be an endorsement of homosexuality but a recognition of the autonomy of the local church. Critics said local-church autonomy does not excuse toleration of sin and that the association has the right and responsibility to discipline wayward churches.
___In another development related to the controversy, the Georgia Baptist Convention executive committee voted March 13 to cut off all funding for Atlanta Association after Dec. 31.
___The SBC North American Mission Board said earlier it would go along with the state convention in defunding 16 missionary positions, along with special-ministry funds and about $60,000 a year in denominational funds earmarked for hunger relief.
___Georgia Baptist Convention Executive Director Robert White told the executive committee the dispute with Atlanta Association is about more than homosexuality. Churches in Atlanta are angry over other issues, such as the SBC boycott of Disney and recent changes to the Baptist Faith & Message, and are using the gay issue to express their feelings, he said.
___White described the state convention and association as "two ships steaming further and further away from each other."
___
The Baptist Standard
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