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Hi Larry, I received the memo from the Judson Association that was sent to all Welcoming and Affirming Baptist Churches. As you may expect we differ greatly on our understanding of homosexuality, and how best to interpret biblical teaching on the matter of human sexuality. In my study of Scripture it seems that the words equality, integrity, justice, commitment, joy, respect, spirituality and mutuality most clearly express God's will for human sexual relationships. Further, most people I know, be they heterosexual or homosexual, say they didn't choose their sexual identity, they were simply born that way, that at some point in their life they realized their sexual orientation. I know this to be true. I have been happily married to my wife Karen for over 25 years. I chose to marry her. She chose to marry me. However, neither of us chose our sexual orientation, we simply continue to make a commitment to express what was given by God in healthy ways. Such remains our prayer and hope for our homosexual friends, that they will have the freedom and encouragement to form relationships that are marked by equality, integrity, justice, commitment, joy, respect spirituality and mutuality and so live out their sexual identities in healthy ways. The contours of our debate are well known and need not be repeated at length in this response. Suffice it to say that our church cannot keep faith with the leadings of the Spirit, the teaching of Scripture, and a great number of gay and lesbian persons and their families and withdraw from the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists Of course we appreciate the prayers of the West Virginia Churches. Prayer sustains us all. Please tell them that they are in my prayers as well and that my prayer for them is that they will know themselves to be held gently and eternally in the loving hands of God. It is important that we communicate respectfully and prayerfully as such communication between sisters and brothers that differ on matters of importance is one of the central commands of our Lord and Savior and one of the hallmarks of a living faith. While I like to be in touch with my American Baptist family members I am not able to respond personally to every question and concern. I urge folk to contact Daniel Pryfogle, the Interim Director of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. This dear brother is well able to respond respectfully and faithfully and to speak on the behalf of member churches.
Many Blessings, |