Ga. excom proposes stances on homosexuality, charismatics

by John D. Pierce                                                                                       Vol. XI, No. 9, October 1998

Georgia Baptist Convention executive committee members, during their Sept. 15 meeting in Atlanta, voted overwhelmingly to send a proposed constitutional amendment to the state convention meeting 16-17 November concerning both charismatic worship and homosexuality. Because there are those "who preach another gospel" it is time for Georgia Baptists to expand requirements for member congregations to be "in harmony and cooperation with ... this convention," according to Augusta pastor Frank Page, a member of the membership committee established by the convention's executive committee to consider how the convention should respond to churches that affirm homosexuality and/or encourage charismatic expressions.

Page, who authored a document titled, "The Charismatic Question," that was adopted as part of a report from the special committee, said the proposed action clarifies "what it means to be a New Testament church -- a Georgia Baptist church." In presenting the report Gerald Harris, a Marietta pastor who chaired the membership committee, admitted to "a certain amount of fear and trepidation." He said the committee was "not here to throw stones, but to lift up a standard of righteousness."

Currently membership and messenger representation for congregations in the convention are tied simply to voluntary contributions to missions causes and being "in harmony and cooperation with the work and purpose of this Convention." The proposed amendment, however, specifies that " a cooperating church does not include (one) which knowingly takes, or has taken, any action to affirm, approve, or endorse homosexual behavior." The proposal also calls for the exclusion of any congregation that "separates itself from historic Baptist tenets through non-biblical worship practices and theology which encourage members to speak in tongues, or participate in the practice of 'being slain in the spirit,' or engage in worship practices that are divisive and disruptive and which exclude themselves from the scriptural expression of faith."

When questioned by fellow executive committee members about biblical texts that address the authenticity of glossolalia (speaking in tongues), those proposing the amendment emphasized that the words "encourage members" distinguish between individuals using a God-given spiritual gift and congregations emphasizing such expressions as being essential or preeminent.

In proposing the constitutional changes, Harris directed executive committee members to a three-page document concerning homosexuality drafted last year by the GBC Christian Life Commission. The executive Committee, at its September 1997 meeting, adopted this position paper that states "the practice of homosexuality occurs as a result of cultural and individual spiritual and moral maladies." The paper concludes by offering practical suggestions for churches to respond by educating people about biblical teachings on homosexuality, working to correct myths, diminishing media efforts to legitimize homosexuality, preventing the practice of homosexuality, and ministering to both homosexual persons and their families.

J. Robert White, GBC executive director, said the proposed amendment "is the convention trying to help associations" in dealing with difficult and divisive issues. He stated that the concerns being addressed had nothing to do with diverse worship styles and local church autonomy, but extreme situations involving affirmation of homosexuality and charismatic expressions often associated with the "Toronto blessing" movement.

The amendment would put the executive director in the forefront in dealing with congregations in question. Charges could not come from individuals, but must arise from official action of an association, the GBC executive committee or the convention itself. White said his first goal would be to hopefully "restore" the church.

Following a review of the charges against a congregation, the proposal calls for the executive director to recommend to the executive committee that either the matter be closed or referred to the convention for further action. The amendment closes by stating that "the Convention by vote of the messengers can determine that a church does not qualify as a cooperating church, as defined in Article II, Section 1, whereupon such church shall be excluded from the Convention and all rights and privileges thereof."

No direct references were made in the meeting to any specific congregations that might be considered in violation of the proposed amendment. [BP]