The Baptist Union (BU) could change its rules to allow the ordination of practicing homosexuals as early as October 2023 – but evangelical ministers within the union are making moves to defend the orthodox position.
In January, an in-person meeting of the newly-formed Evangelical Baptist Ministers for Marriage was held, against the background of increasing division over the issue of allowing the accreditation of practicing gay ministers. More than 220 orthodox evangelical baptists attended the meeting.
Under existing rules, the BU recognises only celibate and single individuals, or those in a heterosexual marriage, as eligible for ministerial accreditation. However, pressure has been building on the BU council to remove the celibacy requirement – which would effectively allow ordination of practicing gay ministers.
The ‘core team’ of evangelical ministers has reportedly been subjected to ‘very ungracious and hostile attacks’.
Ahead of the January meeting, BU minister Tom Bowring said: ‘A large number of orthodox Baptist ministers have decided, from the experience of brothers and sisters from other denominations, that we need to be vocal and visible in our opposition to this, as it goes against our belief in the authority of Scripture on which the Baptist Union is founded.’ Following the meeting, the core team said ‘Immediate takeaways from the day are: a clear sense of commitment to orthodox evangelical exegesis of Scripture; continued advocacy in the Union to remain true to the Baptist foundational evangelical roots; the appointing of a core team to steer the movement, with scores offering to serve; an underscoring of our Baptist vision to build healthy churches in mission together; and a commitment to pursue personal holiness and personal renewal through prayer.’
A church consultation is currently being drawn up by the BU on the ministerial rules.
