Post by Logan on Jan 11, 2016 18:03:38 GMT -6
Memphis Baptist Church OKs Gay Marriage, Snubs Nose at Anti-LGBT Bigots in Tennessee
With Tennessee’s LGBT community under attack from state lawmakers and others, one Baptist church in Memphis just took an unlikely stand for gay rights.
Members of First Baptist Church of Memphis (above) approved a resolution Sunday allowing same-sex marriage and gay clergy in the congregation.
“As Christ’s church, First Baptist Memphis is called to minister equally to all persons, extending to them the privileges afforded to any follower of Christ, including, but not limited to, baptism, membership, leadership, ordination, and marriage and will not discriminate based on race, gender, age, marital status, or sexual orientation,” the resolution states.
The Rev. David Breckenridge, senior pastor since 2008, said the church has a long tradition of being progressive on social issues, according to a report in The Commercial Appeal. The 175-year-old congregation was among the first Baptist churches to welcome African-Americans, ordain women and part ways with the right-wing Southern Baptist Convention.
Continued at www.towleroad.com/2016/01/memphis-baptist-church-oks-gay-marriage-snubs-nose-anti-lgbt-bigots-tennessee/
With Tennessee’s LGBT community under attack from state lawmakers and others, one Baptist church in Memphis just took an unlikely stand for gay rights.
Members of First Baptist Church of Memphis (above) approved a resolution Sunday allowing same-sex marriage and gay clergy in the congregation.
“As Christ’s church, First Baptist Memphis is called to minister equally to all persons, extending to them the privileges afforded to any follower of Christ, including, but not limited to, baptism, membership, leadership, ordination, and marriage and will not discriminate based on race, gender, age, marital status, or sexual orientation,” the resolution states.
The Rev. David Breckenridge, senior pastor since 2008, said the church has a long tradition of being progressive on social issues, according to a report in The Commercial Appeal. The 175-year-old congregation was among the first Baptist churches to welcome African-Americans, ordain women and part ways with the right-wing Southern Baptist Convention.
Continued at www.towleroad.com/2016/01/memphis-baptist-church-oks-gay-marriage-snubs-nose-anti-lgbt-bigots-tennessee/