Kentucky Baptist Church to Hold Gay Wedding

The Christian Post ^ | 7/2/14

[Faith Presses On]

A Baptist congregation in Kentucky has garnered national headlines for its intention to hold a gay wedding at its facility, despite most of their fellow Baptist churches' disapproval.

Highland Baptist Church of Louisville recently announced their intention to hold a same-sex wedding for David Bannister Jr., 29, and Steven Carr, 25. It is scheduled for next May.

Joseph Phelps, pastor at Highland Baptist, told The Christian Post that the gay couple "have been active and faithful members of the congregation for over five years."

"Our deacons concluded that conscience would not allow us to welcome gay and lesbian members as full members of our congregation … without also granting them both the responsibilities and rights of all our other members," said Phelps.

Highland Baptist is officially affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship.

The Rev. Laura Barclay, spokeswoman with the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship, told CP that her organization does not have an official position on gay marriage.

Joseph Phelps, pastor at Highland Baptist, told The Christian Post that the gay couple "have been active and faithful members of the congregation for over five years."

"Our deacons concluded that conscience would not allow us to welcome gay and lesbian members as full members of our congregation … without also granting them both the responsibilities and rights of all our other members," said Phelps.

Highland Baptist is officially affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship.

[Mr Rogers]

The CBF broke away from the SBC because they wanted to ordain women. They are a liberal alternative to the SBC.

The Kentucky Baptist Fellowship seems to have been formed to support the CBF, although it allows member churches to give money to the SBC as well.

[QuisCustodiet1776]

“Knowing this:

that the Law is not made for a righteous person,

but for the lawless and insubordinate,

for the ungodly and for sinners,

for the unholy and profane,

for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers,

for manslayers,

for sexually immoral (fornicators),

for homosexuals (sodomites),

for kidnappers,

for liars,

for perjurers,

and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:8-10)

“But the cowardly, unbelieving,

abominable, murderers,

sexually immoral,

sorcerers, (drugs ... “pharmakeus”)

idolaters,

and all liars

shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death .” (The darkness, aloneness, and torments of Hell) (Revelation 21:8)

The Bible goes on to warn all those who call the things God calls evil, “good,” and the things God calls good, “evil.” Although there are many examples of this twisting of right and wrong found in our world today, including lying and deceiving, other obvious examples include homosexuality, which God (and the Bible) calls evil (see ‘homosexuality’) which is now being presented as “good” (on television, in movies, and in our schools) . . . while simply posting the 10 Commandments in a public place, or individual, group, or national prayer, publicly spoken in the name Jesus Christ, which God (and the Bible) calls good, is now being ridiculed and attacked as “evil” . . .

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;” (Isaiah 5:20)

However, since many people believe they are getting away with these things now, they don’t believe they will be judged after they die. However, the Bible is pretty clear when it says . . .

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but AFTER this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27)

[righttackle44]

I can’t understand why the SBC wouldn’t tell churches that they have to either support them and them only, or go to the CBF.

The Southern Baptist Convention does not dictate policy to churches that cooperate with it. If a church does something not in conformity with Southern Baptist polity or policy, then the entire convention would vote on whether or not to withdraw fellowship for that particular church. The state Southern Baptist Convention would do the same as would the local association of Southern Baptist churches.

This could well happen. But unless there is a Convention resolution explicitly spelling out the body's expressed will, there will not be an official reprimand to the church beforehand. There may be serious criticism from Southern Baptist pastorsm leaders, and members, and there could even be a specially called Convention or Association session on the matter. But Southern Baptist bodies do not dictate local church policy.

[wonkowasright]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/3124496/posts

This is church in the article here is the same church I linked here where Mr. Bojangles is padre.

[ReformationFan]

Liberal Baptist thought makes for some interesting theology to say the least. They will support this but if this “couple” adopts or creates a child through a surrogate mother, they better not baptize it! :?

[ReformationFan]

“Well, I suppose the gay members must indeed be grateful Highland Baptist finally had the state decide they should be treated as full members. What a way to blaze a trail there, truly impressive.”

The PCUSA(Pagan, oops!”Presbyterian” Church USA) came to the same conclusion last month but only in states that permit it.

[fwdude]

"'The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship does not issue official positions on homosexuality because it violates the Fellowship's mission as a network of individuals and churches,' said Huett."

They sound exactly like Unitarian Universalists - "Whatever" is a valid theological point.

[ealgeone]

The cooperative baptists believe it’s ok for women to be preachers. When you ignore the bible on this issue everything else is up for grabs. Women pastors are often followed by support for the homosexual movement.

[Mrs. Don-o]

If the two were together for five years, the Baptist church apparently not only supports this shambolic gay "marriage," they also support 5 years of gay nn-marital "fornication."

Or is that a distinction without a difference?

[Zionist Conspirator]

Hm. Must be “Reform” Baptists.