North Dallas' Royal Lane Baptist Church ends silence on welcoming gays, lesbians with Web site change

bigbutchmistie · 03-07-2010, 11:21 AM

I do understand you guys on being shunned out of the Baptist Church. When I came out, I too was told if this is the "lifestyle" you choose never come back.

PearlsNLace, I wanna send a copy of this to my adopted dad and his church.. LOL And show them that there are Christians out there who do practice what they preach... and as Theo said that is refreshing to say the very least.

Hugs to you both.

LieslKate · 03-07-2010, 01:40 PM

You know G/god, G/godess has no affiliation with any church, they are all human created... so sad that humans hate based on so many issues, race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation to mention a few... we would all be so much better off without any churches / religions and especially christianity, of any sect, which has the bloodiest history of hatred of all religions... worship, believe and love in your heart what ever is true for you, thats what truly counts.

key · 03-07-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbutchmistie

I do understand you guys on being shunned out of the Baptist Church. When I came out, I too was told if this is the "lifestyle" you choose never come back.

PearlsNLace, I wanna send a copy of this to my adopted dad and his church.. LOL And show them that there are Christians out there who do practice what they preach... and as Theo said that is refreshing to say the very least.

Hugs to you both.

Vacationing in Florida every summer is a lifestyle. Being Gay is who I am.

Hearing that "lifestyle" word is like nails on a chalkboard to me. And then I recently had my own stereotypes shattered recently when someone said. "It does not matter whether someone was born gay or 'chooses to be gay', either way it's okay."

So in other words, even if being gay is "just" a lifestyle choice for someone. It's still not wrong/evil/bad/against God etc etc etc.

Andrew, Jr. · 03-07-2010, 05:51 PM

I am glad to see this sort of progress. God loves everyone.

bigbutchmistie · 03-14-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

I am glad to see this sort of progress. God loves everyone.

Yes Andrew he does

bigbutchmistie · 05-27-2010, 07:19 PM

By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News
samhodges@dallasnews.com
The state’s largest Baptist group officially broke ties today with Royal Lane Baptist Church in North Dallas, citing the church’s acceptance of openly gay deacons.

By a 63-4 vote, the executive board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas voted not to accept funds from Royal Lane. The same resolution asked the church to stop indicating in publications that it is a BGCT affiliate.

Randel Everett, executive director of the BGCT, called the decision “painful” but not difficult.

Though BGCT churches should welcome homosexuals, he said, the group’s long-held view is that the Bible teaches homosexual behavior is sinful.

Royal Lane’s acknowledgement that it has ordained openly gay deacons meant that it was “clearly outside” BGCT beliefs, Everett added.

Doug Washington, a Royal Lane deacon and BGCT executive board member, spoke against the resolution. He said the church has two gay deacons, and he praised them as outstanding leaders.

“To say something is wrong with them is to say God made a mistake,” Washington said. “I can’t buy into that.”

The BGCT requires that executive board members and employees be part of a church in good standing with the denomination. Washington said he would be resigning from the board.

Two Royal Lane members are BGCT employees, and Everett said they would have to find another church if they want to keep their jobs.

He said there’s no timetable for them to decide.

The board’s vote ratifies an interim action by Everett after The Dallas Morning News reported in March that Royal Lane Baptist Church, on Royal between Hillcrest and Preston, had begun to describe itself on its website as a “vibrant mosaic of varied racial identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and denominational backgrounds.” The article noted that Royal Lane had gay deacons, and Everett confirmed that in meetings with church leaders.

Royal Lane was founded in 1952. The church was early to diversify racially and to have women as deacons and associate pastors. A letter from Royal Lane deacons to Everett during the current controversy noted that the church had ordained a gay deacon at least 15 years ago.

Washington said Royal Lane very much wanted to remain in the BGCT, a vehicle through which churches support evangelism, education, emergency relief, and more.

But he said Royal Lane, which has about 500 members, will not be threatened by losing BGCT affiliation.

“I think we’re stronger than ever,” Washington said.

But the church also has been dropped by the Dallas Baptist Association. That group’s board passed a resolution Monday, saying Royal Lane has “affirmed a doctrinal position regarding homosexual behavior that is not in harmony with the historic faith and practices of Baptists substantially as set forth in the Holy Scriptures.”

David Matthews, pastor of Royal Lane, would not comment today, but said the church would likely be releasing a statement.

03-07-2010, 01:40 PM	#2
LieslKate Member How Do You Identify?: Prime Lesbian Femme Feminist Submissive Amazon Dyke Riot Grrl... :) Preferred Pronoun?: the Feminine... Relationship Status: single Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saint John, New Brunswick Canada Posts: 105 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 255 Thanked 106 Times in 47 Posts Rep Power: 31	You know G/god, G/godess has no affiliation with any church, they are all human created... so sad that humans hate based on so many issues, race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation to mention a few... we would all be so much better off without any churches / religions and especially christianity, of any sect, which has the bloodiest history of hatred of all religions... worship, believe and love in your heart what ever is true for you, thats what truly counts. __________________ *The Life well lived, the Journey blessed.*

03-07-2010, 11:21 AM	#1
bigbutchmistie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Since You Need A Label. Butch Relationship Status: Still Dreaming Of My Happily Ever After Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 4,009 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,950 Thanked 5,364 Times in 1,941 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	I do understand you guys on being shunned out of the Baptist Church. When I came out, I too was told if this is the "lifestyle" you choose never come back. PearlsNLace, I wanna send a copy of this to my adopted dad and his church.. LOL And show them that there are Christians out there who do practice what they preach... and as Theo said that is refreshing to say the very least. Hugs to you both.

03-07-2010, 05:51 PM	#4
Andrew, Jr. Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Me Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Over the Rainbow in a House Posts: 5,072 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 16,004 Thanked 5,249 Times in 2,216 Posts Rep Power: 0	I am glad to see this sort of progress. God loves everyone.

05-27-2010, 07:19 PM	#6
bigbutchmistie Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Since You Need A Label. Butch Relationship Status: Still Dreaming Of My Happily Ever After Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Arlington Texas Posts: 4,009 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,950 Thanked 5,364 Times in 1,941 Posts Rep Power: 21474856	By SAM HODGES / The Dallas Morning News samhodges@dallasnews.com The state’s largest Baptist group officially broke ties today with Royal Lane Baptist Church in North Dallas, citing the church’s acceptance of openly gay deacons. By a 63-4 vote, the executive board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas voted not to accept funds from Royal Lane. The same resolution asked the church to stop indicating in publications that it is a BGCT affiliate. Randel Everett, executive director of the BGCT, called the decision “painful” but not difficult. Though BGCT churches should welcome homosexuals, he said, the group’s long-held view is that the Bible teaches homosexual behavior is sinful. Royal Lane’s acknowledgement that it has ordained openly gay deacons meant that it was “clearly outside” BGCT beliefs, Everett added. Doug Washington, a Royal Lane deacon and BGCT executive board member, spoke against the resolution. He said the church has two gay deacons, and he praised them as outstanding leaders. “To say something is wrong with them is to say God made a mistake,” Washington said. “I can’t buy into that.” The BGCT requires that executive board members and employees be part of a church in good standing with the denomination. Washington said he would be resigning from the board. Two Royal Lane members are BGCT employees, and Everett said they would have to find another church if they want to keep their jobs. He said there’s no timetable for them to decide. The board’s vote ratifies an interim action by Everett after The Dallas Morning News reported in March that Royal Lane Baptist Church, on Royal between Hillcrest and Preston, had begun to describe itself on its website as a “vibrant mosaic of varied racial identities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and denominational backgrounds.” The article noted that Royal Lane had gay deacons, and Everett confirmed that in meetings with church leaders. Royal Lane was founded in 1952. The church was early to diversify racially and to have women as deacons and associate pastors. A letter from Royal Lane deacons to Everett during the current controversy noted that the church had ordained a gay deacon at least 15 years ago. Washington said Royal Lane very much wanted to remain in the BGCT, a vehicle through which churches support evangelism, education, emergency relief, and more. But he said Royal Lane, which has about 500 members, will not be threatened by losing BGCT affiliation. “I think we’re stronger than ever,” Washington said. But the church also has been dropped by the Dallas Baptist Association. That group’s board passed a resolution Monday, saying Royal Lane has “affirmed a doctrinal position regarding homosexual behavior that is not in harmony with the historic faith and practices of Baptists substantially as set forth in the Holy Scriptures.” David Matthews, pastor of Royal Lane, would not comment today, but said the church would likely be releasing a statement.