Expert: Bruce Gourley - 11/21/2006

Question
My church has gone through 2 senior ministers since the church body was publicly announced through our newspaper local section that I was gay.  Many of the persons voting for me for deacon are the older members who have known me for 25+ years.  They, as I, feel that the current leadership does not respect "us."  This is, if elected, who are going to put me in office.  They want me to be the spokeperson for them or shall I say us.  I do not prey on any one other than the person I love and have lived with for 35 years.  What is your say on gays in the SBC churches.  I did go to a metropolitian church for two Sundays and it was not for me.  I like the way our church worships for the most part.  Thank you for your reply.  I do wish to say that I have had leadership roles in Ridgecrest conferences and other areas but I did not let my sexuality get in my way of leading the programs.
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I am an ordain minister and I am gay.  I left the leadership of a church because of it.  I served 17 years prior in two churches.  I am now ask to serve as a "deacon" in my present church should I or should I not.  I am in a commited relationship and has been for 35 years.
-----Answer-----
You didn't ask, and I'm not going to offer a personal opinion, or a biblical interpretation, as to your sexual orientation.

You did ask about your local church. As you know, each local Baptist church is autonomous. Some Baptist churches, although only a small minority, accept gays in leadership roles. I would imagine you know your church pretty well by now, and probably have some idea of how they would respond to you being gay. The question you face is whether or not you want to deal with any fallout that may result if you seek a leadership role in the church. Only you know the answer to this question.

Answer
Your specific question is, "What is your say on gays in the SBC churches?"

It is fair to say that the leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention do not like homosexuals, period. Hatred would probably not be too strong a word in some cases. On the other hand, attitudes will vary from within one local Southern Baptist church to another (although open homosexuals are not welcome in the majority of SBC congregations).

That you have a committed, monogamous relationship is commendable. But in all honesty, the SBC as a denomination is opposed to you regardless ... although what your fellow church members in your local congregation think is likely more important (or at least more personal) than what denominational leaders might say.