![]() ![]() The following year, a gay couple's photograph appeared in the church directory, and slowly, the church began to openly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members and dedicate their children, he said. When Phelps first arrived at Highland Baptist in 1997, he said there was a don't ask, don't tell policy regarding gays. ![]() We needed to get on the ball and get moving." "It wasn't too difficult to see the way things were going in terms of our national discourse on this matter. "It was about polishing and clarifying how we show God's love and grace to those on the margins," Crosby said. Crescent Hill Baptist, 2800 Frankfort Ave., voted to begin doing so in June 2013.Ĭrescent Hill Pastor Jason Crosby said the discussion process lasted for more than a year. It will become the third Baptist church in the area to perform same-sex marriages. Highland is now affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. The church has done the same with other affiliations because of theological differences, Phelps said. It left the conservative Southern Baptist Convention - the world's largest Baptist denomination - about 20 years ago. Highland Baptist, which has about 1,200 congregants and integrates women into its leadership, already falls on the more liberal end of the denomination's spectrum. "And to their credit, they have stayed with the church through all of this." "There are a very small number in the church" who are upset, Phelps said. The Cherokee Road church's decision has irked some members, who have been upset over the process in which the decision was reached - and made public - as well as the decision itself. The decisions did not come without some consternation, however, and that was true for Highland Baptist. In recent years, the Episcopal Church began blessing same-sex unions and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America decided to allow ministers to perform gay marriages if they choose. The church's move is part of a trend toward gay marriage across the country.īesides recent court decisions on the matter, the Presbyterian Church of the USA in June voted to allow pastors in their congregations to perform same-sex marriages. "They're taking a stand in order to influence their community and move their community in a certain direction." "What Highland is really doing is what churches do on important issues," he said. The church's decision "may influence the debate," said Sam Marcosson, a law professor at the University of Louisville. "It's taking us courage to be one of the first churches to do this."Īs state law stands, the marriage will not be recognized by the state of Kentucky, which is appealing a court ruling requiring it to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.Īnd while a district court ruled Tuesday that same-sex marriages performed in Kentucky are legal, the judge stayed the decision, halting any legal gay marriages for now. "It takes courage to step out into the unknown," said Pastor Joe Phelps, who was approached by Bannister and Carr about the ceremony 2 1/2 years ago. But only recently did they have the right to be married at their church.ĭavid Bannister Jr., 29, and Steven Carr, 25, are to be married next May at Highland Baptist Church, which will break with most churches in its denomination by performing its first gay marriage ceremony. I think given the resources that the Lord has provided for this time, that’s what we felt was the best strategy.Watch Video: Video | Kentucky gay marriage suit plaintiff “People who are perusing membership with the church. “We opened our doors for first time guests and those that haven’t visited before or not in community,” said Pokluda. With members continuing to watch the service online in their established life groups. Pastor Pokluda and Harris Creek Baptist Church called their re-opening, a soft re-opening. ![]() ![]() One service is dedicated solely to high risk members. With people to divided by last name, and with seats together in in groups of two, three or up to six. At Highland Baptist Church in Waco, they are going with five services. And to open our doors in unity.”Ĭhurches had several different ways of opening. “And as they lifted restrictions, allowed us to be careful. “We prayed and sought the Lord and felt that June 7th was good date that coincided with what the government was saying,” said Johnathan Pokluda, Pastor of Harris Creek Baptist Church. On Sunday 30 churches opened their doors for the first time in months. After the shutdown was lifted the churches continued to meet to discuss when they should open their doors for people to attend in person again. Church leaders in Waco have been meeting regularly since the coronavirus shut down the entire state. ![]()
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