The Kentucky Baptist Convention has voted to sever ties with a Louisville church after its decision to support homosexuality.
Crescent Hill Baptist Church announced last year that sexual orientation and gender identity would not be a factor in hiring, ordinations, or performing marriage services.
The KBC is holding its annual meeting today in Bowling Green. Executive Director Paul Chitwood told WKU Public Radio the vote to disassociate from the church was difficult but necessary.
"We are grieved by the necessity of that decision," said Chitwood. "However, given the fact that Crescent Hill has chosen to affirm homosexuality, it really places them outside of the Bible's teaching and outside of Baptist beliefs."
Crescent Hill Pastor Jason Crosby maintains the Bible doesn’t explicitly condemn homosexuality.
"In addition to that, we concluded that Jesus' clear instruction to love others as ourselves is what drew us to reach the conclusion that we would fully welcome and affirm gay and lesbian individuals here at the church," stated Crosby.
Crescent Hill is scheduled to perform its first gay marriage ceremony at the end of the month. In other business, the Kentucky Baptist Convention learned Tuesday that Campbellsville University has moved to end its covenant agreement with the Convention. Last month, the university appointed a board of trustees without the KBC’s approval.
