![]() ![]() Word then spread on social media before the church made its announcement in its weekly newsletter, upsetting some members of the congregation, Phelps said. During that time, the matter was never brought before the church for discussion or a vote, as originally intended. The church formed a subgroup of deacons in February 2013 to study the idea of same-sex weddings and met a few times before postponing the matter because of other pressing issues, according to a church newsletter.īut then a new subgroup formed this spring, and it reached its unanimous conclusion on same-sex marriage in May. "So the onus is on us and our friends to talk with those around us." "If people don't get the shades pulled back on LGBT people's lives, they won't learn. Two and a half years ago, Bannister and Carr - who don't claim to be activists - approached Phelps and shared their desire to be married at the church. "How do you live up to this stance when you're not completely inclusive?" "Over time, we've come to the realization that led us to today."īlanchard said that before the deacons' recent decision, he felt conflicted preaching that Highland was completely accepting. "Inch by inch, it sort of begins to dawn on us," Phelps said. ![]() Maurice "Bojangles" Blanchard, who leads a gay ministry at the church. In 2012, it ordained an openly gay minister, the Rev. The following year, a gay couple's photograph appeared in the church directory, and slowly, the church began to openly welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members and dedicate their children, he said. When Phelps first arrived at Highland Baptist in 1997, he said there was a don't ask, don't tell policy regarding gays. We needed to get on the ball and get moving." "It wasn't too difficult to see the way things were going in terms of our national discourse on this matter. "It was about polishing and clarifying how we show God's love and grace to those on the margins," Crosby said. Crescent Hill Baptist, 2800 Frankfort Ave., voted to begin doing so in June 2013.Ĭrescent Hill Pastor Jason Crosby said the discussion process lasted for more than a year. It will become the third Baptist church in the area to perform same-sex marriages. Highland is now affiliated with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Kentucky Baptist Fellowship. The church has done the same with other affiliations because of theological differences, Phelps said. It left the conservative Southern Baptist Convention - the world's largest Baptist denomination - about 20 years ago. Highland Baptist, which has about 1,200 congregants and integrates women into its leadership, already falls on the more liberal end of the denomination's spectrum. "And to their credit, they have stayed with the church through all of this." "There are a very small number in the church" who are upset, Phelps said. The Cherokee Road church's decision has irked some members, who have been upset over the process in which the decision was reached - and made public - as well as the decision itself. The decisions did not come without some consternation, however, and that was true for Highland Baptist. In recent years, the Episcopal Church began blessing same-sex unions and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America decided to allow ministers to perform gay marriages if they choose. The church's move is part of a trend toward gay marriage across the country.īesides recent court decisions on the matter, the Presbyterian Church of the USA in June voted to allow pastors in their congregations to perform same-sex marriages. "They're taking a stand in order to influence their community and move their community in a certain direction." ![]() "What Highland is really doing is what churches do on important issues," he said. The church's decision "may influence the debate," said Sam Marcosson, a law professor at the University of Louisville. "It's taking us courage to be one of the first churches to do this."Īs state law stands, the marriage will not be recognized by the state of Kentucky, which is appealing a court ruling requiring it to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.Īnd while a district court ruled Tuesday that same-sex marriages performed in Kentucky are legal, the judge stayed the decision, halting any legal gay marriages for now. "It takes courage to step out into the unknown," said Pastor Joe Phelps, who was approached by Bannister and Carr about the ceremony 2 1/2 years ago. But only recently did they have the right to be married at their church.ĭavid Bannister Jr., 29, and Steven Carr, 25, are to be married next May at Highland Baptist Church, which will break with most churches in its denomination by performing its first gay marriage ceremony. ![]() Watch Video: Video | Kentucky gay marriage suit plaintiff ![]()
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