Letters: CBF lifts LGBT ban

RE: CBF revises hiring policy; lifts LGBT ban for some posts

The open and affirming implementation plan for the new hiring policy of the CBF is the natural outcome of revering self-autonomy over the authority of Scripture. Could there have been any other response, other than the inevitable full acceptance of openly gay pastors and missionaries in the CBF?

The hiring policy states: “CBF employees are expected to have the highest moral character, displaying professionalism and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.” In opening nearly 80% of CBF jobs to LGBTQ++ individuals there is an equating of LGBTQ++ lifestyle with “the highest moral character . . . and a commitment to the highest ethical standards.”

Concerning the action taken by the BGCT in our 2016 annual meeting, one might wonder if future cooperation between the BGCT and the CBF is nearing an end.¹ If a church “which affirms any sexual relationship outside the bonds of a marriage between one man and one woman be considered out of harmonious cooperation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas,” then ought not the same standard apply to a whole fellowship of churches? Is there a warning letter to the CBF that needs drafting in similar fashion as the ones sent to a few BGCT churches prior to the 2016 BGCT annual meeting?

Mathew St. John
Anson, Texas

¹Messengers to the BGCT annual meeting in Waco approved a motion from Craig Christina, pastor of Shiloh Terrace Baptist Church in Dallas, declaring, “because of the historical and biblical positions of the BGCT as stated in multiple resolutions, motions and actions, that any church which affirms any sexual relationship outside the bonds of a marriage between one man and one woman be considered out of harmonious cooperation with the Baptist General Convention of Texas” (“BGCT sets view of marriage as criteria for cooperation”).