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As a former Southern Baptist pastor I am stunned that she would think that Southern Baptists have drifted to the right in the past 40 years. Frankly it has probably been more of a move to the left rather than to the right... and I was in college and working as an associate pastor 40 years ago IN KENTUCKY., so I do know a bit about churches in Kentucky, their theology and the climate in leadership.

From the perspective of a Southern Baptist Church that believe the Bible to be true, it is difficult for them not to stand by several scriptures that are specific about these issues.

Like it or not, any married couple who serves in the ministry in any capacity knows that there are limits to what the spouse of an employed person can and cannot do. She absolutely had to know that it would put her husband’s job at risk before she wrote the letter to the newspaper.

If you read the article you will also see that her husband’s job was at risk because he allowed an openly gay person to join the choir. When asked not to allow it, he refused. This flies in the face of the theology they believe and in a church the choir is up in front of the whole church regularly. They represent the church. My guess is that this is the primary issue AND perhaps her motivation for writing the letter in the first place.

I suspect, like churches I have worked at, that a man or woman living with a girlfriend or boyfriend outside of the marriage bond would not be allowed to sing in the choir or hold positions in the church either. Neither would they allow non-Christians to serve in ministerial roles.

If you read the article you will also see that her husband’s job was at risk because he allowed an openly gay person to join the choir. When asked not to allow it, he refused. This flies in the face of the theology they believe and in a church the choir is up in front of the whole church regularly. They represent the church. My guess is that this is the primary issue AND perhaps her motivation for writing the letter in the first place.

I would wonder if the pastor himself helped pen this letter. How does a congregation call a pastor or remove him in a Baptist church? Could it be he wants "out" of this congregation and this is how he and his wife decided to begin the process?

I suspect, like churches I have worked at, that a man or woman living with a girlfriend or boyfriend outside of the marriage bond would not be allowed to sing in the choir or hold positions in the church either. Neither would they allow non-Christians to serve in ministerial roles.

True. The worship team, be they vocal or instrumental, are in ministry. I was put through the proverbial wringer when I got divorced, although once they realized my husband abandoned me I was allowed to stay. Had I initiated the divorce for any reason other than abuse or adultery, I would have been asked to leave the orchestra. We represent the church.