Virginia Baptists vote to sever ties over gay ordination

Richmond — The Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) has upheld a leadership committee’s decision to end the state association’s affiliation with a church that ordained an openly gay man to the ministry earlier this fall.

In the opening session of its annual meeting Nov. 13, BGAV messengers voted 426–164 against a motion to refer the decision for review by a study committee. In October the Virginia Baptist Mission Board’s executive committee asked Ginter Park Baptist Church, Richmond, to withdraw its membership by Dec. 31, after the congregation ordained an openly gay man in September. If Ginter Park declines to withdraw by that date the BGAV will no longer accept its financial contributions, essentially ending the church’s affiliation with the state association. (TAB)