RE: Waco church voluntarily cuts ties with BGCT (after LGBTQ decision)
I have been attending University Baptist Church in Waco for the past year. However, after the decisions to allow same-sex marriage and leave the BGCT, I—along with several others—have to leave.
I am saddened I have to leave, but I also am saddened by the reactions I have seen. People who disagree with the decision may see this as a church ignoring the Bible. People who celebrate the decision UBC made also may see this as a church breaking free of the shackles of fundamentalism.
Neither of these reactions is an accurate representation of the church’s decision-making process. The church struggled and wrestled over the best way to stay faithful to God’s ultimate commandment as declared by Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40. Although I disagree with the church’s vision for what it means to love, I also disagree with detractors who would say the church has broken ties with God.
I think this issue is important. I think a church’s stance on this issue can determine whether or not a person attends this church. I do not believe affirming same-sex marriages costs a person his or her salvation. If a person had to be correct on every single issue in order to be saved, salvation would not be by grace alone but by getting a perfect score on your SATs (Spiritual Accuracy Tests).
So, do not condemn UBC for this decision; pray for UBC. If we are supposed to do this for our enemies, we should do it for our brothers and sisters with whom we disagree. Pray for the staff and church leaders. Pray for the people who have to leave. Pray for the people who are staying. And pray for the day when God’s church is united fully.
Adam Jones
Waco, Texas
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