American Baptists call for unity among churches

The General Board Executive Committee of the American Baptist Churches USA (ABCUSA) expressed grief and sadness Sept. 19 at the planned departure from the denomination of 300 conservative churches in its Pacific Southwest Region.

In a statement issued following a two-day meeting in Atlanta, the denomination’s executive committee called for unity and said a decision by the California-based Pacific Southwest Region will “separate the region from the American Baptist family and our mission if the region completes its action.”

The region voted Sept. 8 to recommend its churches stop sending money to the denomination’s national headquarters by Dec. 31 and sever fellowship over of the refusal of the general board to address the issue of homosexuality and the development of several gay-friendly associations in the ABCUSA.

Respect for churches

In a statement, the general board said, “The general board… does not set policy for local congregations on theological or other issues. We are not hierarchical or Episcopal because we are a denominational family related by a series of voluntary covenantal relationships among autonomous congregations to partner together in mission.”

The board also cited its respect for the “autonomy and primacy of the local church.”

“Contrary to published reports, ABCUSA does have policy statements and resolutions related to homosexuality. Our Family Life Policy Statement (1984) states, ‘We affirm that God intends marriage to be a monogamous, lifelong, one-flesh union of a woman and a man… We affirm God’s blessing and active presence in marriage relationships,’” the statement said.

In 1992, the general board adopted this statement: “We affirm that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching.”

In 1993, the board called for continuing dialogue on issues of human sexuality.

In June 1998, the board reaffirmed the prior actions and rewrote the “’We are American Baptists’ statement to more strongly affirm the importance of biblical authority. All of these policy statements and resolutions remain in effect.”

(BP)