Baptist General Convention of Texas breaks ties with Royal Lane Baptist Church over gay deacons
The state’s largest Baptist group officially broke ties Tuesday with Dallas’ Royal Lane Baptist Church, 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,” given that Royal Lane has been an affiliate for decades. But he also said the decision was not, from his point of view, difficult.
Though BGCT churches should welcome homosexuals, he said, the group’s well-established view is that the Bible teaches that homosexual behavior is sinful.
Royal Lane’s acknowledgement that it has ordained “practicing homosexuals” as deacons meant that it was clearly outside BGCT beliefs, Everett added.
The Rev. David Matthews, pastor of Royal Lane, declined to comment, saying the church probably would release a statement later.