North Dallas' Royal Lane Baptist Church ends silence on welcoming gays, lesbians with Web site change

bigbutchmistie · 05-27-2010, 07:19 PM

By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News
samhodges@dallasnews.com
The state’s largest Baptist group officially broke ties today with Royal Lane Baptist Church in North Dallas, citing the church’s acceptance of openly gay deacons.

By a 63-4 vote, the executive board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas voted not to accept funds from Royal Lane. The same resolution asked the church to stop indicating in publications that it is a BGCT affiliate.

Randel Everett, executive director of the BGCT, called the decision “painful” but not difficult.

Though BGCT churches should welcome homosexuals, he said, the group’s long-held view is that the Bible teaches homosexual behavior is sinful.

Royal Lane’s acknowledgement that it has ordained openly gay deacons meant that it was “clearly outside” BGCT beliefs, Everett added.

Doug Washington, a Royal Lane deacon and BGCT executive board member, spoke against the resolution. He said the church has two gay deacons, and he praised them as outstanding leaders.

“To say something is wrong with them is to say God made a mistake,” Washington said. “I can’t buy into that.”

The BGCT requires that executive board members and employees be part of a church in good standing with the denomination. Washington said he would be resigning from the board.

Two Royal Lane members are BGCT employees, and Everett said they would have to find another church if they want to keep their jobs.

He said there’s no timetable for them to decide.

The board’s vote ratifies an interim action by Everett after The Dallas Morning News reported in March that Royal Lane Baptist Church, on Royal between Hillcrest and Preston, had begun to describe itself on its website as a “vibrant mosaic of varied racial identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and denominational backgrounds.” The article noted that Royal Lane had gay deacons, and Everett confirmed that in meetings with church leaders.

Royal Lane was founded in 1952. The church was early to diversify racially and to have women as deacons and associate pastors. A letter from Royal Lane deacons to Everett during the current controversy noted that the church had ordained a gay deacon at least 15 years ago.

Washington said Royal Lane very much wanted to remain in the BGCT, a vehicle through which churches support evangelism, education, emergency relief, and more.

But he said Royal Lane, which has about 500 members, will not be threatened by losing BGCT affiliation.

“I think we’re stronger than ever,” Washington said.

But the church also has been dropped by the Dallas Baptist Association. That group’s board passed a resolution Monday, saying Royal Lane has “affirmed a doctrinal position regarding homosexual behavior that is not in harmony with the historic faith and practices of Baptists substantially as set forth in the Holy Scriptures.”

David Matthews, pastor of Royal Lane, would not comment today, but said the church would likely be releasing a statement.

05-27-2010, 07:19 PM	#1
bigbutchmistie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Since You Need A Label. Butch Relationship Status: Still Dreaming Of My Happily Ever After Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 4,009 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,950 Thanked 5,364 Times in 1,941 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News samhodges@dallasnews.com The state’s largest Baptist group officially broke ties today with Royal Lane Baptist Church in North Dallas, citing the church’s acceptance of openly gay deacons. By a 63-4 vote, the executive board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas voted not to accept funds from Royal Lane. The same resolution asked the church to stop indicating in publications that it is a BGCT affiliate. Randel Everett, executive director of the BGCT, called the decision “painful” but not difficult. Though BGCT churches should welcome homosexuals, he said, the group’s long-held view is that the Bible teaches homosexual behavior is sinful. Royal Lane’s acknowledgement that it has ordained openly gay deacons meant that it was “clearly outside” BGCT beliefs, Everett added. Doug Washington, a Royal Lane deacon and BGCT executive board member, spoke against the resolution. He said the church has two gay deacons, and he praised them as outstanding leaders. “To say something is wrong with them is to say God made a mistake,” Washington said. “I can’t buy into that.” The BGCT requires that executive board members and employees be part of a church in good standing with the denomination. Washington said he would be resigning from the board. Two Royal Lane members are BGCT employees, and Everett said they would have to find another church if they want to keep their jobs. He said there’s no timetable for them to decide. The board’s vote ratifies an interim action by Everett after The Dallas Morning News reported in March that Royal Lane Baptist Church, on Royal between Hillcrest and Preston, had begun to describe itself on its website as a “vibrant mosaic of varied racial identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and denominational backgrounds.” The article noted that Royal Lane had gay deacons, and Everett confirmed that in meetings with church leaders. Royal Lane was founded in 1952. The church was early to diversify racially and to have women as deacons and associate pastors. A letter from Royal Lane deacons to Everett during the current controversy noted that the church had ordained a gay deacon at least 15 years ago. Washington said Royal Lane very much wanted to remain in the BGCT, a vehicle through which churches support evangelism, education, emergency relief, and more. But he said Royal Lane, which has about 500 members, will not be threatened by losing BGCT affiliation. “I think we’re stronger than ever,” Washington said. But the church also has been dropped by the Dallas Baptist Association. That group’s board passed a resolution Monday, saying Royal Lane has “affirmed a doctrinal position regarding homosexual behavior that is not in harmony with the historic faith and practices of Baptists substantially as set forth in the Holy Scriptures.” David Matthews, pastor of Royal Lane, would not comment today, but said the church would likely be releasing a statement.