BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — In a special called meeting of the Tennessee Baptist Convention executive board May 30, board members voted unanimously to “dissolve” its relationship with Glendale Baptist Church in Nashville.
The Baptist and Reflector, the official newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, reported Jan. 29 that Glendale had called a lesbian minister (April Baker) as associate pastor with responsibilities related primarily to children and families in May 2002.
The special meeting was called specifically to address the Glendale matter. No other business was discussed. In presenting the recommendation from the executive board, executive committee chairman Jack Robinson of Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville noted it had been passed unanimously by the committee and that Glendale Baptist Church was in agreement with the wording of the recommendation.
The recommendation read:
“In light of our different visions of faith and practice, and after much prayer and dialogue with the leadership of Glendale Baptist Church, the executive board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention acts to dissolve its relationship with Glendale Baptist Church.”
In a written response, Glendale wrote, “We at Glendale Baptist Church appreciate the prayer and dialogue with representatives of the executive board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and accept the decision of the executive board to dissolve our relationship,” the church’s response read. “May God’s blessing be with us all as we continue to see God’s work in the world and join in that work.”
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