Posted on 06/13/2013 6:49:23 AM PDT by Morgana
Edited on 06/13/2013 7:35:53 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
HOUSTON (AP)
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
The SBC also spoke against gaydom in the Boy Scouts but said it would continue to support the Scouts.
No, it most emphatically did NOT say the SBC would continue to support the BSA. Please do not spread falsehoods.
I read that the SBC did not urge its members to leave the Scouts. Is that correct?
“On Wednesday, the SBC approved a resolution criticizing the Boy Scouts new policy, but not go so far as to recommend churches cut ties altogether with scouting groups.”
The above is what I was trying to say.
It resolved:
“... That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention
meeting in Houston, Texas, June 11–12, 2013, express our continued
opposition to and disappointment in the decision of the Boy Scouts of
America to change its membership policy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express our gratitude for the thousands of individuals
within the Scouting family and the culture at large who expressed
their opposition to the BSA executive leadership’s intent to change its
membership and leadership policies in regard to homosexuality, leading
to the compromise recommendation it presented to the BSA National
Council; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express our gratitude to each voting member of
the National Council who voted in opposition to the policy change for
membership; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express our well-founded concern that the current
executive leadership of the BSA, along with certain board members, may
utilize this membership policy change as merely the first step toward
future approval of homosexual leaders in the Scouts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call on the Boy Scouts to remove from executive
and board leadership those individuals who, earlier this year, sought
to change both the membership and leadership policy of the Scouts
without seeking input from the full range of the Scouting family; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That we affirm the right of all families and churches
prayerfully to assess their continued relationship with the BSA, expressing
our support for those churches and families that as a matter of conscience
can no longer be part of the Scouting family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage churches and families that remain in the Boy Scouts to seek to impact as many boys as possible with the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ, to work toward the reversal of this new membership policy, and to advocate against any future change in leadership and membership policy that normalizes sexual conduct opposed to the biblical standard;
RESOLVED, That we encourage churches that choose to sever ties
with the Boy Scouts not to abandon their ministry to boys but consider
expanding their Royal Ambassadors ministry, a distinctively Southern
Baptist missions organization to develop godly young men; and be
it finally
RESOLVED, That we declare our love in Christ for all young
people regardless of their perceived sexual orientation, praying that
God will bring all youth into a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It did not urge all member churches to drop scouting. However, it did take a much firmer stance than any other denomination I’ve heard of, and strongly condemned what the BSA did.
Also:
“As originally worded, the resolution encouraged “churches and families that choose to remain in relationship with the Boy Scouts” to work toward the policy’s reversal. An amendment from the floor, however, effectively struck the reference to churches and families remaining in relationship to the organization.”
It wouldn’t matter if they did “recommend” it or not. Local churches are autonomous. The “official” SBC position on things means very little — unless the local church is completely off the deep end theologically and morally, and then their messengers can be refused seating at the national convention and the church effectively have no voice in the proceedings, effectively booting them out. This isn’t a “top-down” power set-up like most every other denomination.
It did not urge all member churches to drop scouting. However, it did take a much firmer stance than any other denomination I’ve heard of, and strongly condemned what the BSA did.
Also:
“As originally worded, the resolution encouraged “churches and families that choose to remain in relationship with the Boy Scouts” to work toward the policy’s reversal. An amendment from the floor, however, effectively struck the reference to churches and families remaining in relationship to the organization.”
This. Thank you!
Well at least they are incorporating some elements of youth protection already in place in the Boy Scouts. Do they require training of all youth leaders to detect and prevent abuse? Do they require two deep leadership? Do they require reporting by responsible individuals directly to the police upon allegation?
The worst thing good people can do is abandon the Boy Scouts.
Please see post #7. Local churches are autonomous within the scope of the affirmation of their faith statement. There is no “micromanagement” of the local church.
“The nation’s largest Protestant denomination has resisted implementing some type of database of ministers accused of abuse, saying that all churches are independent and the denomination does not have the authority to order local churches to submit that information.”
Ok, I understand if you can’t dictate to them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t “strenuously encourage” them to submit the information. Works for the federal government when they want something from the states.
“The worst thing good people can do is abandon the Boy Scouts.”
Worse for who? The good people or the Scouts?
“Ok, I understand if you can’t dictate to them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t “strenuously encourage” them to submit the information.”
To put this in perspective:
“Also in his address to messengers, Page noted that recent data from the convention’s Annual Church Profile survey showed continued declines in nearly every category, including baptisms, average attendance and total giving.
“We desperately need the hand of God,” Page said. “One of our big challenges in these days is that one out of every five Southern Baptist churches will not send in an ACP. We can only tell what we know. Our baptism numbers are down. Or are they? We don’t know because you won’t tell us. Please participate.”
http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc13/newsroom/newspage.asp?ID=28
The SBC does not and cannot require member churches even submit a yearly summary of baptisms and attendance!
Both, the way I see it.
The SBC resolution condemned the scouts decision, supported churches that chose to take either approach, but definitely called on churches that remained with the scouts to try to turn back the decision.
Whether the local churches are autonomous or not doesn't change the fact that the national convention lacks a backbone. They should have the courage to say something like this, regardless of whether the local parishes follow it:
"RESOLVED, that the Southern Baptist Convention affirms that celebrating openly homosexual relationships is contrary to the faith and values of SBC, and strongly urges SBC-affliated parishes to sever all ties with the Boy Scouts of America and no longer sponsor BSA related scouting events until the Boy Scouts of America abolishes their new policy on this matter"
Even if 99% of SBC affiliated parishes decided to ignore the "recommendation", the SBC could have at least they say "we tried", and they'd be able to tell their maker that on judgment day.
well, you two have successfully hijacked the thread.
Not entirely...I suspect the thread was posted to attack Baptists. The substance of the attack is optional. What matters is the attack!
Assumes facts not in evidence. One thing is certain though, it wouldn't have been posted by Dr. Thorne or any of the other usual suspects, or you for that matter.
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