Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Texas Baptist Group Drops Dallas Church

According to today's Dallas Morning News, the executive board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas has voted to not accept funds from Dallas' Royal Lane Baptist Church, which is tantamount to cutting ties.  The reason was Royal Lane's acceptance of two openly gay deacons.  Randel Everett, the apparently irony-free executive director of the BGCT, said churches should "welcome homosexuals" but their "well-established view is that the Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful." 

You're welcome here homosexuals! We offer you sad, lonely lives. 

Everett said that Royal Lane's ordination of "practicing homosexuals" as deacons placed it outside BGCT's beliefs.  Who are all these "practicing homosexuals" the anti-gay types keep talking about?  Most guys I know aren't "practicing homosexuals," they're quite good at it. 

Doug Washington, a Royal Lane deacon and BGCT executive board member, spoke against the ouster.  He said "to say something is wrong with [gays] is to say God made a mistake.  I can't buy into that."  He'll be leaving the executive board shortly.


Founded in 1952, the 500 member Royal Lane Baptist Church has a history of progressive theology.  They were early to diversify racially and to have woman as deacons and associate pastors.  The church ordained it's first openly gay deacon 15 years ago. 

I give it about another 15 years before the BGCT decides it wants Royal Lane back.

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