Kentucky Baptists Expel Gay-Affirming Church

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Nov 13, 2014

Kentucky Baptists Expel Gay-Affirming Church

A church in Kentucky has been ousted from the Baptist denomination for its openness to performing and holding gay weddings. The Kentucky Baptist Convention decided Tuesday (Nov. 11) to expel Crescent Hill Baptist Church of Louisville, stating that it could not be affiliated with a church that promotes homosexuality. 

Director of the convention Paul Chitwood said, "We're all sinners and we recognize that, but for a church to say 'we're going to endorse the sin, we're going to call what the Bible calls wrong, [and] call it right', that becomes the issue."

According to the Crescent Hill website, the church believes, "God loves all people without condition.”

It continues, "In 2013 the church clarified its relationship with LGBTQ individuals. The congregation overwhelmingly voted to be open to grant ordination, hire, or perform wedding ceremonies for LGBTQ individuals.

"In other words, sexual identity or orientation will not be a factor in determining whether the church will ordain, hire or perform a wedding ceremony...No matter who you are, where you are from, or where you have been, you will be welcomed at Crescent Hill."

Crescent Hill pastor Rev. Jason Crosby attended the meeting that ultimately decided the fate of the church.

He said, "We are Bible-led, Kentucky Baptists to whom God has revealed a different perspective on (gay and lesbian) individuals to us, rather than to you I suspect, yet we still want to be with you.” 

Only a few members of the Convention voted in favor of Crescent Hill. 

Publication date: November 13, 2014

Kentucky Baptists Expel Gay-Affirming Church