Friday, April 24, 2015

British Baptists and gay marriage: will it split the denomination?


British Baptists could be facing a bruising controversy over homosexuality, as one of the regional associations has dissented from the denomination's declared position, Christian Today can reveal.

The West of England Baptist Association (WEBA) – one of 13 regional associations of the Baptist Union of Great Britain – has effectively challenged guidance issued by the Union which says each minister can make up its own mind on the issue of same sex marriage.

The matter of what is and isn't allowed is complex for Baptists because of the way they are structured: each Baptist church is independent, but the Union is responsible for setting national standards for the conduct of ministers. Keep reading
From this article I gather that the Baptist Union of Great Britain does not have anything equivalent to the Southern Baptist Convention's The Baptist Faith and Message. To become "cooperating church" in the SBC, a Baptist church must be in agreement with The Baptist Faith and Message and must contribute to the denomination's Cooperative Fund.

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