Kentucky association ousts church for opening doors to pro-gay group

OWENSBORO, Ky. (ABP) – A Baptist association in Kentucky voted 242-24 on Aug. 5 in favor of a recommendation from its credentials committee to remove a church that allows a gay-rights group to meet in its building.

"Kentucky Equality Federation thanks Pastor Robert Coons and everyone at The Journey Fellowship as a Baptist Church (now former) for standing for equality and the equal treatment of all of God's children. We stand united with Owensboro PFLAG and will assist them anyway possible." - Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer

The Daviess-McLean Baptist Association met in special session to vote on the recommendation to expel the Owensboro congregation, formerly known as Seven Hills Baptist Church, for permitting a chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) to meet on the premises once a month.

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Leaders in the association said the church’s refusal to ask PFLAG to meet elsewhere implied acceptance of homosexuality, which the majority of the association views as sinful. Coon said he believes it is up to a local church to decide how to use its own buildings, and he hopes the vote doesn’t create precedent for other churches to come under scrutiny for groups that use their space.

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The Journey Fellowship had already distanced itself from the Southern Baptist and Kentucky Baptist conventions and is aligned with the more moderate Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Kentucky Baptist Fellowship.

Read the entire story:  http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/6656/53/

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