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Chester Road Baptist Church

Baptist Consultation 

Baptist churches are currently being consulted on a potential change to the Ministerial Rules for Nationally Accredited Ministers.

The question:
Should the Baptist Ministerial Recognition (MinRec) Rules be amended to ensure those Accredited Ministers in a same-sex civil partnership/ equal marriage no longer be subject to ‘gross misconduct’ and so lose their Ministerial Accreditation?

Just to be clear:

  • This only affects a handful of Baptist Ministers and their ‘affirming’/ supportive congregations.
  • This is NOT asking if the Baptist Union should require all churches to change their approach to marriage.
  • This is NOT asking if we as Chester Road Baptist should register to marry same-sex couples. In any case, the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 ‘triple lock’ says, before same-sex weddings can happen: a) the presiding Minister/ Registrar must have consented; plus, b) the place of worship must have consented (for us, a Church Meeting decision), plus, c) the denomination must have consented.
Background:
Baptists Together (Baptist Union) does not give a view on the rights/ wrongs of equal/ same-sex marriage. That’s because, as Baptists, each local church has liberty to decide for itself. The majority of Baptist churches maintain a ‘traditional’ definition of marriage as being only between a man and a woman. Others are ‘affirming’ of same-sex couples, with a small (but growing) number registered/ registering for equal marriage.

Currently, MinRec rules state that any Nationally Accredited Baptist Minister in an equal/ same-sex marriage or Civil Partnership, unless celibate, has committed ‘gross misconduct’ and so is removed from the Register of Nationally Accredited Ministers (‘the Accredited List’). Specifically, Appendix 3, Section 4.3 includes:

“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).”

Baptist Council has been asked to amend this rule. Should the bracketed section be retained or removed? Given the diversity and strength of opinions expressed, Baptist Council are consulting churches and Accredited Ministers (closes 30th Nov 2023). The final decision is for Baptist Council (March 2024).
 

Trigger warning

Before we get into the detail, it's important we remember:
  • We are each called to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:1-6.
  • Whilst many are privileged for this to be a theoretical/ theological debate, for our church members and regular worshippers who identify as LGBTQ+, this cuts to the core of their identity and the truth of Psalm 139:14. Our agreed values and Safeguarding policy make clear our commitment to being an inclusive and safe church.
  • To be fair, it's important we recognise arguments for and against. There is grace in recognising others think differently..

The case for keeping the rule as it is (saying ‘no’ to the rule amendment):

Those who oppose the rule change do so for a combination of reasons, all of which are based on their belief that same-sex/ equal marriage is inherently wrong - sinful:
  1. They believe, anything other than heterosexual marriage goes against the authority of Scripture (or at least their understanding of it). In the Bible, marriage is a symbol of the union between Christ and the Church, His Bride. For them, any marriage other than between a man and a woman is sin. Christ condemns sin; it undermines the saving work of Christ. They say, it’s a ‘first order’ principle.
  2. For them, it feels like Baptists Together is being asked to endorse same-sex/ equal marriage, and so change its definition of marriage for the whole Baptist movement/ all churches.
  3. Accreditation of Ministers is both a national responsibility and quality mark that commends Ministers to all churches and to ‘walk together’ (whilst still acknowledging it is local churches that appoint.)
  4. It would create disunity. Some churches and Ministers have said they will leave the Baptist Union if MinRec rules are amended (a few are already withholding their giving to Home Mission). Why risk splitting the Union to accommodate a minority view?
  5. It would complicate our relations internationally with other Baptist Unions around the world.
To further understand this position:
Read HERE Rev Dr Stephen Finamore, former Principal of Bristol Baptist College and Baptist President elect (2024-25), re-affirm the conservative/ 'traditionalist' view of marriage.
 

The case for amending the rule (saying ‘yes’ to the rule amendment):

What, on the surface looks at first like a question about equal/ same sex marriage, is really a question about Baptist identity and ecclesiology. It’s not so much, should equal/ same-sex marriage be accepted or rejected? (some agree/ others disagree); rather it’s, should each Baptist church still have liberty to determine its own approach, or should there be a national approach that all must follow? 
  1. We Baptists are a locally-empowered, not a top-down/centralised, denomination. Our Baptist Declaration of Principle states, "each church has liberty, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to interpret and administer His laws." We don't override this for other matters. Whatever your personal view, it's for each local church to decide it's own approach to same-sex/ equal marriage, not the Union.
  2. As Baptists, we're already well used to diversity of belief/ approach e.g. on divorce/re-marriage, the ministry/calling of women etc etc... What unites us, is not the uniformity derived from all Baptist churches being/ believing the same (because we don’t!); our unity is found in us all being ‘in Christ’ – Jesus, the Head of the Church, is our unity. No matter what our differences, we remain family – Baptists Together! 
  3. The minority of churches that do 'affirm' same-sex couples/ marriage should be allowed, if they so chose, to appoint an accredited Minster who's in a same sex marriage. That's their choice, it doesn't affect who other churches appoint.
  4. If the rule isn't changed, a Minister charged with 'gross misconduct' loses their job, their home, is no longer able to work as a Chaplain in the NHS, military etc.. or transfer to/ be recognised for ministry by another affirming denomination/ local ecumenical partnership. That doesn't seem right.
  5. Those who are 'affirming', read the same Scriptures and conclude that the Bible does not prohibit faithful, monogamous, same-sex relationships. They too have both a high view of Scripture and of the covenant of marriage. It's a 'debatable matter' (Romans 14). See our Deeper session ChesterRoadBaptist.org.uk/Deeper.
Read HERE a more detailed outline of the case for amending the rule.
 

What's the process?

The Baptist Council are consulting churches and accredited Ministers, Associations & Colleges (closes 30th November 2024). The final decision will be made by the Baptist Council (Match 2024.)
To allow time for reflection/ listening/ maximum engagement, we're following 3-stages, spread over 4-months:

  • July 20th Church Members' Meeting - Discover
  • September 17th Church Members' Meeting - Discuss
  • November 16th Church Members' Meeting - Decide (on this occasion, given the sensitivities, a secret ballot.)

To give a clearer picture (weighting), Consultation responses are factoring in:

  • size of church membership
  • ?age profile of church membership
  • whose view is being represented? Just the Church Secretary? Just the Leadership Team? The Church Members Meeting?

We are being asked: 

  • How strongly do we think/feel that a minister could/should still be able to be accredited by the Baptist Union of Great Britain if they are in a same-sex marriage?
  • If the rule is amended (removing the brackets), should Chester Road Baptist Church leave the Baptist Union/ family?
  • If the rule is kept (no change), what affect would this have on our pastoral life? i.e. how positive/ negative would this be for our members/ worshippers?
  • If the rule is amended (removing the brackets), what affect would this have on our pastoral life? i.e. how positive/ negative would this be for our members/ worshippers?
  • If the rule is kept (no change), what affect would this have on our missional life? i.e. how positive/ negative would this be for our community engagement/ ability to reach those who are not Christians?
  • If the rule is amended, what affect would this have on our missional life? i.e. how positive/ negative would this be for our community engagement/ ability to reach those who are not Christians?

Got questions/ concerns/ suggestions? Speak to:

  • Danny Brierley (Minister) e: DannyBrierley@ChesterRoadBaptist.org.uk
  • Jenni Beesley (Church Secretary) e: ChurchSecretary@ChesterRoadBaptist.org.uk
  • Or any other member of the Leadership Team.