Marriage and accredited ministry 

An update ahead of October's Baptist Union Council meeting

The next meeting of Baptist Union Council takes place Wednesday 12 – Thursday 13 October. At the last Council in March, members considered a request to change the rules for our accredited ministers. The process of consultation to respond to this request will be discussed at the upcoming Council.

 
Background
 
Our current Ministerial Recognition Rules are clear that any sexual activity outside of heterosexual marriage is deemed gross misconduct. The specific clause (Appendix 3, Section 4.3) says: 
 
‘Sexual Misconduct which brings the church and ministry into disrepute. NB This specifically includes sexual intercourse and other genital sexual activity outside of marriage (as defined exclusively as between a man and a woman).’ 
 
The request is that the last section in brackets is removed, which would mean that a minister who is in a same-sex marriage would no longer be committing gross misconduct and lose their accreditation. This request was received in a letter signed by 70 people who are part of Baptists Together, the majority of whom are ministers. 
 
The process of responding to this request was begun by the Ministerial Recognition Committee (MRC), which subsequently referred the request to Baptist Union Council. Council is responsible for approving any changes to the Ministerial Recognition Rules.
 
The report of the initial discussion at the March Baptist Union Council can be read here. 
 
On 21 June General Secretary Lynn Green and the Core Leadership Team (CLT) sent a letter to all our ministers and churches. This letter shared key themes covered at CLT's June meeting, which included reflecting on this request to change the Ministerial Recognition Rules. 
 
The letter stated, 'As we reflected together at CLT about this issue around marriage, we became even more aware of the deep pain that is felt by so many; it was felt acutely in the room.  We are all so passionately committed to being faithful to Jesus that this really matters. 
 
'Thank you for all the feedback that has been received so far; all the different perspectives were shared, named and acknowledged as we met.  We recognised that because we love and respect one another and our differing convictions, there is no easy way forward.'
 
The letter highlighted what happens next: CLT was to work in close consultation with the Ministerial Recognition Committee and our Trustees to enable Council to agree a process for responding to this question. The letter stressed: 'It is clear that we will NOT be in a position to make a decision at Council in October 2022.'
 
Instead, it stated that at the October Council meeting, Council members will ‘work together to agree a process of consultation and response, including the role of Assembly.’

This formal consultation will seek to ensure all voices can be heard.  
 
 
Update
 
As well as encouraging prayer, the CLT letter in June encouraged people to reach out to others and engage in opportunities for consultation, and conversations have been happening around our Union which will inform the process. Two grassroots responses have been submitted to Council ahead of the upcoming meeting: 
 
A ‘Baptist Ministers For Orthodox Marriage’ petition has been sent to the Council Moderator, Chair of Trustees and General Secretary. The petition states: 'We ask the Baptist Union of Great Britain and its council to hold to the traditional biblical view that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that anything outside of this is unscriptural.'
 
An open letter to Baptist Union Council asking members to allow Baptist churches to receive ministry from accredited ministers who are in same sex marriages has been published and sent to the Council Moderator and General Secretary. It is signed by accredited Baptist ministers, leaders, members, and churches. It can be accessed here.  
 
Elsewhere, the leadership team of Fresh Streams, the predominately Baptist word and spirit network, issued a statement in August following its summer theology school in June, which had explored human sexuality.
 
The statement highlighted points of agreement following the theology school, despite the present leadership team holding 'varying views'. Access it here. 
 
Some Associations have been offering spaces to listen and offer reflection on issues relating to human sexuality; Black and Brown Baptist ministers discussed the MRC rule change request at a special meeting in late September, and CLT also discussed it again at its meeting last week.  
 
Returning to the June letter, Lynn wrote:
 
‘CLT are unanimous in our absolute commitment to our unity in Christ and to holding together with the pain in the presence of the Lord.  We are also in agreement that we must not rush ahead as we seek a way forward.

'We believe that any decision that is ultimately made must be prayerfully and carefully discerned, involving significant consultation. Much thought needs to be given to the implications of various possible options. We are acutely aware that the 'stakes are high'.’
 
She asked that we 'bear with one another in love'. 
 
'I am trusting that Christlike humility, gentleness, patience, love and faith will enable us to hold fast together. As a CLT we have a deep trust in the Lord; that as we keep Jesus at the centre, and keep our eyes fixed on him,  we will be led forward even if we may not be able to imagine how that will happen.

'God has been faithful to us in the past, and he will continue to be faithful now.'