wfn.org | ABC/USA REGION TO RESTRUCTURE

[RICH.SCHRAMM@ecunet.org]

To: wfn-editors@wfn.org

AMERICAN BAPTIST NEWS SERVICE 
Office of Communication  
American Baptist Churches USA 
P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851 
Phone: (610)768-2077 / Fax: (610)768-2320 
Web: www.abc-usa.org
Richard W. Schramm, Director 
 E-mail: richard.schramm@abc-usa.org

DELEGATES TO ABC OF NORTHWEST CONVENTION FAIL TO PASS 
AMENDMENT FOR BYLAW CHANGE REGARDING DISMISSAL OF CHURCHES, 
VOTE TO BEGIN RESTRUCTURING PROCESS 
 Delegates to the Biennial Convention of the American 
Baptist Churches of the Northwest, meeting May 20, failed to 
pass an amendment to that organization's bylaws that would 
have allowed an additional basis for dismissing churches.  
The proposed amendment would have permitted the board of the 
regional church body, upon six month's notice, to dismiss 
churches that belong to organizations affirming the practice 
of homosexuality as being consistent with Christian 
teaching.  The proposal specifically mentioned the 
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, to which 
two of the member churches also belong. 
 The vote of 161 in favor and 92 opposed fell short of 
the required two-thirds vote of those present and voting.
 At the May 20 meeting delegates also were asked to 
vote on a recommendation to begin a process to restructure 
the regional body by May 2002, with an interim report to the 
made to the churches by May 2001. The recommendation, which 
began with the words, "With deep regret," was submitted by a 
mediation group established to develop a mutually acceptable 
means for the regional body to deal with the matter of 
homosexuality.  The resolution is the result of the 
mediation group's consensus that it was not possible for 
them to develop such a solution within the context of the 
current organization.  
 The convention delegates passed a motion to implement 
the resolution by a vote of 184 in favor and 46 opposed.
 The meetings were part of the 17th Biennial Convention 
of the American Baptist Churches of the Northwest, which 
includes about 206 congregations and approximately 36,150 
resident members throughout Washington, Idaho, Montana and 
Utah, plus one each in Oregon and Nevada.  The organization 
is one of 34 regions within American Baptist Churches USA. 
 The three-day convention program included numerous 
events for worship, celebrations and reports.  According to 
President David W. Roberts and Executive Minister Paul D. 
Aita the delegates conducted themselves in a respectful, 
orderly and even prayerful manner, despite the obvious 
strong divisions among them.
5/22/00
WFN522A. TXT

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