Fox News recently ran a story on Feb. 1 about First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Fla. and its decision to require members to sign a statement on Biblical sexuality. Members must sign the statement by March 19 or lose their membership.
I have a lot of thoughts on this topic that I want to share, but first a disclaimer. It is my belief that “Biblical sexuality” is very clearly defined in Scripture. My bias is clear in that I believe that God’s Word is infallible and inerrant, and what God says on any particular topic is the authority. Government’s opinion, your personal opinion and even my opinion are irrelevant; God’s opinion is all that counts.
My knee jerk reaction was to agree with the church’s decision to stand up for and publicly declare what its beliefs are. The more I thought about it, though, the more I came to the conclusion that if I were asked to sign this statement and my membership depended on it, I would probably start looking for another church.
The church’s leadership has clearly forgotten that Baptists generally won’t sign any kind of document committing to a specific stance on an issue.
Why does the church need members to sign a statement? Are members of First Baptist Jacksonville not already in agreement on what Biblical sexuality is? Are more people going to come to a saving faith in Jesus from signing this document, or is it a publicity stunt seeking to gain attention?
Answering these questions would take longer than I can hold your attention. The bottom line is that if the church was already teaching what the Bible says, the church’s position on the issue would have already been crystal clear. If members disagree with the statement in its current form, why would they want to stay and be a member of the church anyway? Forcing signatures add no value.
If the church’s message was not clear enough on the issue of sexuality, then in what other topics is their teaching deficient? If tithing drops, will they make members sign a statement that they agree to tithe or they lose their membership? If attendance drops, will they make members sign a pledge to attend a certain number of Sundays a year or lose their membership.
It is truly sad that these types of discussions have to be engaged in by a modern, educated society. It just proves that education is not always accompanied by wisdom.
As someone who was a Baptist nine months before they were born, I can attest that signing oaths doesn’t feel right. It is something I have never seen done in Baptist ecclesiology, and hopefully it is not a trend that will continue for the sake of the denomination.
Below is a copy of that statement.
Anyone who believes that Scripture is the inherent infallible Word of God would agree with the statement. It is the correct parsing of Holy Writ on the subject, and as such I am in 100% agreement. But I still wouldn’t sign a document to stay a member.
The church should not have been surprised when the media began to bash them as being non-inclusive or divisive. It’s a controversy I am sure they expected and maybe they even wanted.
Jesus said that he came to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10) But He also taught that the Gospel is divisive.
In Luke 12:49-53 Jesus says
“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
If local church pastors would just preach the unadulterated Gospel instead of trying to be relevant or appeal to the world, people would not question where they stand. Unfortunately, people are used to having their ears tickled by some speaker trying to make them feel good about themselves rather than point out their sinfulness.
I long for the days when you could hear sermons about the Holiness of God, or how propitiation was required for sin, or how the wages of sin are death. How about a sermon on Hell or Satan. Where have those pastors gone? People need to be told Jesus wasn’t sent here to be your buddy, but rather he was sent here to divide.
Lastly, one of the Fox News comments stated, “The decision to have your members sign any form of contract to attend turns your church into an organization, a club,” she added. “This church is no longer a religious place of worship welcome to all. These sexuality oaths are drawing a clear line in the sand, showing us who you truly welcome, which is by no means all.”
The “oath,” as this person called it, does not prohibit people from attending the church. It was a requirement to maintain membership. You don’t show your membership card when you enter church. The statement would restrict membership. This would mean that only those who were members and signed the agreement could serve in an official capacity as a deacon, nursery worker or Sunday school teacher. It would not affect the ability to attend and worship.
The decision to require a signed statement to remain a member was ill-advised at best. Hopefully, though the controversy someone will question what they believe, seek truth and find Jesus.
