2 churches threatened with expulsion from Texas Baptist association over LGBT policies

The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) has sent notices of expulsion to two churches for their affirming stance toward the LGBT community.

The officials of BGCT sent letters to the First Baptist Church of Austin and Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas informing them that they are effectively choosing to "withdraw itself from harmonious cooperation" with the convention due to their decision to accept members of the LGBT community to their church, Dallas News reported.

In response, the First Baptist Church of Austin wrote a letter stating: "As a church, we did our diligent theological work, being guided by the spirit, meditating on sacred scripture and hearing the stories and struggles of our own members. As a result of that thoughtful process, we are proudly and openly welcoming and affirming of all God's beloved children."

The Austin church suggested that BGCT's decision was influenced by other churches who threatened to stop giving money to the convention until the church was expelled.

In the case of Wilshire, BGCT threatened to exclude the church from the convention depending on the results of a recent vote regarding its policy on hosting same-sex marriages and appointing gays and lesbians as deacon.

"Should your church choose to publicly affirm same-sex sexual behavior, the BGCT will no longer be able to accept funds from the church, seat its messengers to the annual meeting, allow the church to express affiliation with the BGCT or allow its members to serve on the BGCT boards, committees or other roles," the letter stated, as reported by The Baptist Standard.

Wilshire Pastor George Mason said that the BGCT decision was "provocative" and "premature," adding that the vote by the congregation is yet to be completed.

BGCT Executive Director David Hardage maintained that the decision is consistent with previous actions taken by the convention.

In 1998, BGCT's Administrative Committee and Executive Board decided not to accept donations from the University Baptist Church in Austin after a gay man was ordained as a deacon. In 2010, the executive board took a similar action toward Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas when it also appointed gay deacons.