wfn.org | ABCUSA: Regional Executive Ministers Address Homosexuality

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Rich.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 12/2/04)--At their Regional
Executive Ministers Council meeting Nov. 20 in Green Lake, Wis., American
Baptist regional executive ministers voted (20 yes, 3 no, 3 abstentions) to
issue a pastoral letter that addresses homosexuality and homosexual practice.

The document was distributed to the American Baptist Churches USA General
Board during its meeting at Green Lake.  The complete letter states: 

"As people called by God and our regions to serve as Regional Executive
Ministers, we have a responsibility to provide pastoral guidance, in
accordance with the Statement of Purpose of the American Baptist Churches in
the U.S.A., which calls all American Baptists to: 'bear witness to the Gospel
of Jesus Christ in the world and to lead persons to Christ; to seek the mind
of Christ on moral, spiritual, political, economic, social, denominational
and ecumenical matters, and to express to the rest of society on behalf of
American Baptists, their convictions as to the mind of Christ in these
matters; to guide, unify, and assist American Baptists in their witness in
the world, in preparing members for the work of ministry, and in serving both
those within and outside the fellowship of Christ; and to promote closer
relations among American Baptist churches and groups, within the whole Body
of Christ and to promote understanding with other religious bodies.'

"The controversy over homosexuality has consumed our agenda, our discussion
time, and our energy; yet the controversy still threatens to break us apart
as American Baptists.  The prevailing view among American Baptists is that
"the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." 
Because American Baptist polity allows for respectful dissent, individuals
and congregations who hold different viewpoints exist among us.  

"This statement is offered out of a sincere desire both to preserve unity
within our American Baptist fellowship and to promote faithfulness to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is imperative that we 'speak the truth in love'
(Ephesians 4:15) as we understand it, with an abiding sense of humility that
we do not have all the answers.  We further pledge to continue listening to
those who hold differing viewpoints. 

"For the sake of our American Baptist ministry and mission and out of a deep
desire to move ahead, as Regional Executive Ministers: 
1.  We will voluntarily refrain from recommending or approving persons who
are practicing homosexuals (gay and lesbian persons) for positions and
ministries on the regional and national levels of denominational life.	
2.  We will voluntarily refrain from conducting or participating in marriage
ceremonies for same-sex couples.
3.  We will voluntarily refrain from making stereotypical statements about
homosexuals, participating in homophobic behavior, making uninformed
assumptions about homosexuals, or from participating in public demonstrations
advocating on either side of this issue.
4.  We will voluntarily refrain from making threats of withdrawal of
resources and threats of withdrawal of fellowship.
5.  We will pray and work constructively to embrace our unity in Jesus Christ
and promote our fidelity to his teachings.  
6.  We call on all American Baptists to embrace and live out items 1-5 in the
same spirit and commitment that we are pledging.
7.  We commit ourselves to prayerfully discerning a way through this
controversy and plan to report on our progress to the General Secretary and
General Board by June 2005."

K/2004ABNS/04ABN137

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org