WEST VIRGINIA FOLLOWING IN WAKE OF PACIFIC SOUTHWEST; VALLEY FORGE REACTS TO PSW ACTION

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

News Release
West Virginia Baptists To Deal With Homosexual Issue

9-12-05

CLARKSBURG – Because of the practice and affirmation of homosexuality among some American Baptist clergy, delegates to the West Virginia Baptist Convention (WVBC) annual meeting in Clarksburg next month will be asked to vote on whether or not to withdraw from their national denomination, the American Baptist Church, USA (ABC-USA).

In a letter dated 9-9-05 and sent to all WVBC churches, the West Virginia Baptists for Biblical Truth (WVBBT) announced their intentions to submit, for a vote of the convention delegates, an amendment to the WVBC constitution that would remove the WVBC from association with the ABC-USA.WVBBT is a coalition of 65 West Virginia Baptist churches organized to address the issue of sexual immorality in the churches of the ABC-USA. Their letter claims that the ordination of practicing homosexuals and the affirmation of the homosexual lifestyle by some ABC-USA churches is contrary to biblical teaching. According to Jay Wolfe, chairman of the WVBBT, WVBC churches represent the largest region out of the 35 ABC-USA regions across the United States. “West Virginia Baptists have been fighting the homosexuality issue within the church since 1991 – and the acceptance of it by the ABC-USA leadership has only gotten worse. It is time to stand on God’s word and break fellowship with those who condone flagrant sin in the church,” Wolfe said. When asked if he thought God would exclude homosexuals from the church, Wolfe replied, “The attributes of God revealed in His word show Him to be forgiving and merciful, unwilling that anyone should perish. But once we become a Christian by accepting His grace and are born again into His family, He calls us to a higher level of accountability in regard to sin. Like the woman in John chapter 8 that was caught in the act of adultery, Jesus said to her, ‘neither do I condemn you: go and sin no more.’”

There are approximately 460 West Virginia Baptist churches scattered throughout West Virginia. Usually, these are the oldest and largest Baptist churches in West Virginia cities. WVBC offices are located in Parkersburg. Dr. David Carrico is the WVBC Executive Minister.

For more information call: Jay Wolfe 304-844-0906WVBBT, RR 4 Box 56, Salem, WV 26426

Wednesday, September 14, 2005

ABC Newservice Reports: September 14, 2005

NEC EXPRESSES ‘DEEP REGRET’ OVER PACIFIC SOUTHWEST MOVEMENT TOWARD WITHDRAWAL FROM COVENANT

VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS)—The National Executive Council of American Baptist Churches USA today expressed “deep regret” over the action this week by the Board of Directors of the American Baptist Churches of the Pacific Southwest to move toward initiating withdrawal from the denomination’s Covenant of Relationships.

The NEC statement reads as follows: “We deeply regret the action taken by the ABC of the Pacific Southwest, whom we love in Christ, to begin movement toward withdrawal from the Covenant of Relationships. Our denomination has been blessed by the historic commitment by our regions to interdependent dialog and action for mission in the name of Christ. We grieve when partners in ministry move away from that covenantal relationship."

To read the rest of the news release go to www.abc-usa.org

Source: abeonline.org news section today.