EF/Affirm Autumn Conference 2014 » Baptist Union Assembly 2014 – current position on same-sex marriage Published 9 October 2014 -- At the 2014 Baptist Union Assembly There is an ongoing process of conversations, prayerful reflection and debate in the churches and other institutions of the Baptist Union about issues of homosexuality and in particular same-sex marriage, which is now the law of the land. It is recognised that there is a breadth of opinion on these issues, and the process is continuing. At Assembly 2014 an update was shared and the following statement was offered on behalf of the Baptist Steering Group to express where the BU is up to on the journey. This will serve as a backdrop to the continuing conversations and the way that Baptists will seek to behave – Baptist churches are being encouraged to continue to engage with these issues. -- A Baptist minister is required to live and work within the guidelines adopted by the Baptist Union of Great Britain regarding sexuality and the ministry that include ‘a sexual relationship outside of Christian marriage (as defined between a man and a woman) is deemed conduct unbecoming for a minister’. A report on Premier Christian Radio interpreted this as apparently a “seismic shift” in the Baptist Union of Great Britain’s doctrine on sexuality, and said that Baptist Churches would now be offering same-sex marriages. However, in an interview with Adrian Warnock, Stephen Keyworth, the Faith and Society Team Leader and spokesperson for the BU, clarified the situation and explained that no decision had been taken – see www.patheos.com/blogs/adrianwarnock/2014/05/interview-on-same-sex-marriage-with-baptist-union-spokesman-stephen-keyworth. facebook google_plus linkedin mail facebook google_plus linkedin mail twitter rss youtube twitter rss youtube Tagged Assembly, Baptist Steering Group, Baptist Union, equal marriage, marriage, Premier Christian Radio, same-sex marriage, Stephen Keyworth « Southern Baptist pastor accepts his gay son EF/Affirm Autumn Conference 2014 »