The California Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Board voted Thursday (Sept. 11) to withdraw fellowship from a church whose pastor says he believes homosexual acts are not always sinful.
In a unanimous vote of the 35 members present (six were absent), the board voted to withdraw fellowship from New Heart Community Church in La Mirada, Calif., for holding beliefs contrary to the Baptist Faith & Message. Article XVIII of the BF&M defines marriage as "the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime." Article XV states, "Christians should oppose ... all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography."
Board chairman Montia Setzler sent word to Cortez of the board's decision on Sept. 12.
Setzler, pastor of Magnolia Church in Riverside, Calif., said the board was acting as the "convention ad interim" in taking the action. Article VI, Section 1 of the CSBC Constitution gives the Executive Board the "authority to act for the Convention between its sessions."
This is the first time in 74 years of existence that the convention has withdrawn fellowship from a church, Setzler said. He added that the CSBC once opted not to receive Cooperative Program gifts from a church. Read more
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