First Baptist Church, Memphis, TN, has passed a resolution on Sunday, January 10, 2016, affirming gay marriage. The motion reads,
As Christ’s church, First Baptist Memphis is called to minister equally to all persons, extending to them the privileges afforded to any follower of Christ, including, but not limited to, baptism, membership, leadership, ordination, and marriage, and will not discriminate based on race, gender, age, marital status, or sexual orientation.
The CBF affiliated church, led by impastor David Beckonridge, has already voted to ordain gay deacons, and baptized an openly gay man 2001. According to their website, they are a church that strives for “a different way to be baptist.” Clearly they set aside biblical doctrine for man-centered inclusiveness. Their website reads:
When we say we are “A Different Way to be Baptist,” we are seeking to emphasize the following:
We strive to be grace oriented, not judgment focused.
All are welcome… no exceptions.
Both women and men serve in every area of church life and leadership.
We welcome diversity of thought and opinion; dialogue and debate. We believe in the priesthood of every believer.
We strive to cooperate with people of all faith traditions who seek to make our community and world a better place.
We value diversity at every level, including politics. We trust our members to come to their own political convictions. We cherish religious liberty and the separation of church and state.
We believe in heaven, but until then, we are to be fully engaged in making a real difference in this very real world. (source)
[Contributed by Pulpit & Pen]
