Southern Baptists Vote Demanding Boy Scouts Change Leaders

Southern Baptists Vote Demanding Boy Scouts Change Leaders

Posted by: Bridgette P. LaVictoire on June 13, 2013.

Emblem of the Boy Scouts of America

That was more of a whimper than a bang. The Southern Baptists have passed a resolution condemning the acceptance of gay youth into the Boy Scouts. The resolution does call on the BSA to remove the executives and the board leaders who pushed for the inclusion of gays in the Scouts, but did not call for the denomination to pull their support from the BSA entirely.

Some Southern Baptists felt that the resolution “is not going to help the cause of Christ”. The pastor for Indian Springs First Baptist Church in Pelham, Alabama also said about gay youth “Let’s bring them in, show them what real biblical manhood is about and love them.” Which not only sounds rather creepy, but really does not get that homosexuality is not about gender constructs.
Some were not happy with the mild nature of the resolution and wanted it to be stronger. Paul Taylor of First Baptist in Mauriceville, TX was able to get language regarding the churches and families that did not want to drop ties with the BSA. He said about it that it seemed “like we are going on record encouraging a relationship with Scout troops that have homosexual members.”
His victory was short lived as David Uth of First Baptist, Orlando successfully put in a clause about encouraging churches to continue to support the BSA in order to “seek to impact as many boys as possible with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.” So, basically, keep using the Boy Scouts to proselytize?
Steve Lemke, the chair of the committee on resolutions, stated “We’re not trying to bring condemnation or Hell fire on scouting or their leadership, though we sort of hope they get new leaders or leaders that change their minds.” Unfortunately for the Southern Baptists, the cat is out of the bag and with every passing week, the ability of the anti-gay religious groups to pressure the BSA wekens.
David Dykes, a pastor from Texas, stated “I think this resolution was a resolution of kindness, to say the churches that choose to continue with the scouting ministry should do so with an emphasis on sharing the gospel. As a pastor I appreciate that the convention does not tell churches what we should do.”
The United Methodist Church was quick to respond to the SBC’s resolution. Larry Coppock, the Methodist Director of Scouting Ministries, announced that any troops kicked out by the Baptists would have a home with the Methodists.

You may also like -

• Anti-Gay Groups Furious After Boy Scout Vote
• Boy Scouts of America Repeals Ban On Gay Scouts
• Boy Scouts of America Likely To Drop Ban On Gays
• Mormon Church Supports Discriminatory Change In Boy Scout Policy