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British Baptists could be facing a bruising controversy over homosexuality, as one of the regional associations has dissented from the denomination’s declared position, Christian Today can reveal.

The West of England Baptist Association (WEBA) – one of 13 regional associations of the Baptist Union of Great Britain – has effectively challenged guidance issued by the Union which says each minister can make up its own mind on the issue of same sex marriage.

The matter of what is and isn’t allowed is complex for Baptists because of the way they are structured: each Baptist church is independent, but the Union is responsible for setting national standards for the conduct of ministers.

After same-sex marriage was introduced in the UK, the Union issued guidance at its Assembly last year.

They had options – they could have threatened to have withdrawn the accreditation of a minister who performed a same-sex marriage, but this would effectively have meant deciding a church’s theology for it.

Ultimately, the Union decided it cannot forbid churches from registering for same-sex marriages (if they want to) because of the Baptist ‘Declaration of Principle’.

This is a sort of Baptist constitution which says that “each Church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer [Christ’s] laws”.

So the Union’s guidance said ministers who conducted same-sex marriages wouldn’t be disciplined for doing so.

Read More  British Baptists and gay marriage: will it split the denomination? | Christian News on Christian Today.