November 25, 1998
Georgians act on homosexuality
___COLUMBUS, Ga. (ABP)-- Georgia Baptists last week approved a constitutional amendment excluding congregations that "endorse" homosexuality.
___But they stopped short of cutting off churches that practice charismatic worship.
___Meeting Nov. 16-17 in Columbus, messengers to the Georgia Baptist Convention adopted new language excluding as a "cooperating" church any congregation "which knowingly takes, or has taken, any action to affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior."
___"The unanimous verdict of scripture is that the practice of homosexuality is a sin," said Gerald Harris, pastor of Eastside Church in Marietta, who headed the committee that drew up the amendment.
___While the Bible condemns homosexual behavior, it also demands compassion for individuals who are homosexual, he said.
___The new amendment "is not an attempt to monitor churches or tell churches what to do," Harris said. "But we do feel we have a responsibility for maintaining the integrity of our convention."
___Prior to the change, the state convention's constitution defined "friendly cooperation" solely in terms of financial support.
___Bill Self, pastor of John's Creek Church in Alpharetta, spoke in opposition to the change.
___"I want to ask one simple question," he said. "This year, the homosexuals. Who's next, churches that receive African Americans? Churches that allow women in the ministry?"
___Robert White, executive director of the Georgia convention, said if there is a complaint that a church is violating the standard, he will meet with the pastor and the convention will ask the church to come into compliance or leave the denomination.
___A second proposed part of the amendment also would have excluded churches "which encourage members to speak in tongues or to participate in the practice of 'being slain in the spirit' or to engage in worship practices that are divisive and disruptive."
___It received 1,190 "yes" votes and 747 "no" votes, about 5 percent short of the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution.Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!