An attempt to expel from the Atlanta Baptist Association (ABA) two churches that affirm homosexuality came up short after messengers to the 93rd annual meeting of the association failed to reach a two-thirds majority. As a result, Oakhurst Baptist Church and Virginia-Highland Baptist Church will remain affiliated with the 143 congregations and missions of the association. However, both churches could face future disciplinary action from the association after messengers voted to send the issue back to the ABA’s membership committee for disciplinary review.
Still, that may not be enough for a number of conservative Baptist churches that have already announced their intentions of pulling out of the association.
The expulsion vote came immediately following a successful effort by Mount Vernon Baptist Church Pastor Sam Boyd to amend the association’s bylaws, The new amendment noted “an affiliated church does not include a church which knowingly takes, or has taken, any action to affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior.”
That amendment passed with 300 votes, five more than were needed for a two-thirds majority. However, the vote came following a heated discussion concerning whether to conduct the vote by secret ballot. Ultimately, supporters of the amendment obtained a public vote on the issue.
Immediately following the passage of the amendment, Boyd asked for a vote to expel the two congregations.
That vote failed, prompting another round of bickering about the voting process.
Boyd announced to the 600-plus messengers gathered at First Baptist Church, Hapeville, that has congregation would be pulling out of the association and joining a new fellowship. As he invited other churches to join him, he was shouted down by several messengers seated in the audience.
So far, 19 congregations affiliated with the Atlanta Baptist Association have discussed leaving. Rehoboth Baptist Church, a congregation of more than 6,000 members, has already announced its intention to leave the ABA.
(BP)
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