When I was flipping through the local paper for the umpteenth time yesterday, I really got down to reading this article that comes from the Charlotte Observer.
For those of you who know of it, Myers Park Baptist Church (in Greensboro) was essentially excommunicated from the North Carolina State Convention because they welcome gays and lesbians without trying to change them. After the vote to expel Myers Park, six churches quit in protest to what they call a violation of congregational polity.
It is my firm hope that the UU churches that are near Myers Park will stand with them and let it be known publicly that there are other religious entities that are willing to work with them in furthering the cause of welcoming GLBTs into our collective religious life.
But even more, I think that we as an Association must start speaking very loudly for the cause of congregational polity (and not just among ourselves). The Baptists are our cousins (just like the Disciples and their offspring,Quakers,Mennonites and the UCC to a lesser extent), and all of us should be very worried when a Convention of AUTONOMOUS congregations kicks out a member of that Convention because they are acting autonomous. What does this say about congregational polity? And is this a slippery slope, not just for the Baptists, but for us as well?
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What does this say about congregational polity? And is this a slippery slope, not just for the Baptists, but for us as well?
I'm always amazed at how those kicked out in these cases, refuse us..because we also welcome non-christians and non-believers.
I'd let them stew.
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