By Victor Ochieng
Northminster Baptist Church, a true spiritual sanctuary for the Jackson community, has been de-listed from the Mississippi Baptist Convention over a difference in philosophy.
Conversations into the issue began after Northminster Baptist Church was listed as a spiritual resource for LGBTQ youths of Mississippi in a guide that was produced by a nonprofit that helps transfer young people from foster homes and is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The listing of the church didn’t go down well with the Mississippi Baptist Convention leaders, who then informed the church that it could only be in good standing if it pushed for their name to be removed from the nonprofit’s publication. However, after a series of deliberations, the church responded that it has no problem with being identified publicly as a safe abode for those using the guide.
It’s also worth noting that the Department of Mental Health lists the church as “LGBTQ welcoming and affirming.” The church has a long history of going against the convention’s traditional philosophies and values, which also include their decision to be a safe place for same-s*x partners as well as ordaining women as ministers and deacons.
In a letter released last week, the convention announced their official decision to part ways with the church, saying, “The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board no longer considers Northminster a member church of the Mississippi Baptist Convention.”
If the church had wanted to leave the convention, it could’ve done so without any problem. This is because the Mississippi Baptist Convention doesn’t impose doctrine on member churches, with each of the churches operating autonomously. Church leaders can choose to be part of the convention and leave any time they so wish. However, churches that choose to be members are required to adhere to some basic philosophies, which if they fail to uphold, the convention reserves the right to de-list them from its membership.
Baptist Convention member churches have basically two guidelines to follow. The first one is to submit their contributions to the cooperative program, which in turn funds the convention’s activities. The second guideline is to adhere to the Southern Baptist Convention’s book of doctrine, which contains their faith and message.
But even as churches operate in autonomy, the convention’s leadership constantly monitors their teachings and activities. Should any church float the rules, the convention’s leadership can vote to either retain or delist the church, just like it was done in the case of Northminster in July, leading to their dismissal from the convention’s membership.
Source
