Texas Baptists Pass Resolution on Marriage
Despite opposition from some of its liberal members, the Baptist General Convention of Texas joined the league of SBC-related state conventions affirming the traditional definition of marriage as between a man and a woman
The Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) closed the final day of its annual meeting in San Antonio with the passage of a resolution that affirms marriage as a union between a man and a woman, Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004.
The resolution, which passed by an overwhelming majority, stated that the BGCT would uphold the traditional view of marriage in accordance with the Holy Bible while still supporting single-parent households.
“The Bible teaches that marriage is a sacred union between a man and a woman” and the BGCT affirms “the biblical understanding of marriage,” the statement read.
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The 1-million member BGCT, the “moderate” of the two Texas conventions associated with the nationwide Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), has been widely known for its emphasis on “inclusiveness” – a trait, some argued, goes against the resolution on marriage.
”I don’t feel that this resolution is in accordance with a sense of inclusion and allowing everyone who is Baptist to be part of this wonderful group,” said Charliene Hooker, a messenger from First Baptist Church in Fredricksburg.
However, the majority of Texas Baptists agreed that inclusiveness aside, Christ’s church must follow biblical teachings.
“Let us take firm our resolve and stand bold and tell the whole nation we serve a living Savior,” said the Rev. Marvin Delaney, pastor of South Park Baptist Church in Houston.
The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, the other SBC-affiliated convention in the state, already passed a resolution supporting the traditional biblical definition of the family last year. Similar resolutions were passed also in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas-Nebraska, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Louisiana, Maryland/Delaware, Michigan, New England, New Mexico, Tennessee, West Virginia, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
Earlier this week, members of the Florida Baptist Convention – also an affiliate of the SBC, unanimously passed a resolution backing a statewide marriage amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman only.
