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The latest issue of the Fellowship magazine has an article about its "Illumination Project". Item No. 5 contains an unfortunate statement about CBF hiring policy. "CBF does not allow for the expenditure of funds for organizations or causes that condone, advocate or affirm homosexual practice. Neither does CBF allow for the purposeful hiring of a staff person or the ending of a missionary who is a practicing homosexual."

This ends my relationship with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

They've had this for years. I'm reading the CBF tea leaves and seeing that they are about to change it. You might wait just a bit.

This has been CBF policy virtually from the beginning of the organization, or at least, from the early part of its existence. There's been at least one attempt to change it, in that kind of backdoor, use of influence way that both Baptists and Southerners have when they don't want to be impolite and direct. I'm a long way in both distance and time from being able to sense where the organization is headed regarding this particular issue. Lots of churches still dually affiliated with the SBC, and not a lot of churches affiliated who are quite that progressive on this issue, so it would be hard to say. Maybe William sees something in his area that indicates a move to the left on this point.

The organization is in one of those visioning/imagining/dreaming processes. I'm offering the wild conjecture that it will end with a policy change because that seems to be how this stuff always goes.

CBF's view of cooperation isn't based on a theological or doctrinal position. It's more of a realistic recognition that cooperation takes place in areas where there's consensus and agreement, and controversy is avoided when they don't get involved in areas where they don't agree. CBF leadership likes to appear tolerant and accepting of diverse perspectives, and to take a perspective that would look exclusive to those within their ranks who don't accept the view that there's nothing wrong with homosexuality doesn't fit with the image of tolerance and acceptance they want to foster. They want to be the Baptist group within which people who hold differing perspectives on hot button theological issues can cooperate and work without conflict.

On the other hand, Chris, there might be some real hope for quick change. A whole lot of conservative Evangelicals seem to have come around to dropping their opposition to sexual assault of women, pornography, adultery and divorce in just one presidential election cycle. So it might not take much for CBF to come around.

And making fun of those living with disabilities... I mean, Jesus never specifically addressed that, did he?

I remember what a big deal it was for the SBC to pass a resolution opposing the use of Holiday Inns for lodging at conventions because they offered the Playboy channel as a choice on their television network. With the level of support from Evangelicals for Trump, I wonder if we'll start seeing conventions and meetings at Trump hotels? Most of them have strip clubs on site, maybe they could bill the tips and drinks to their church expense accounts?

The hiring policy was set during Dan Vestal's first couple of years when the SBC was attacking CBF as being weak in its stands. I predict that the policy will eventually go away with no changes in staffing. My guess is that the issue is still too divisive with a few CBF churches into open support of gay rights while others are very opposed. Again, it was a policy created to blunt blatant attacks from the outside of CBF.

Ed: Dave, do you remember when there was a formal vote to drop that restriction? It failed miserably. True there is more GLBT sympathy today, however, I am persuaded that is due to an influx of People from the Baptist Alliance which is decreasing. Personally as we travel I prefer CBF, SBC/CBF or ABC/CBF churches over CBF/Alliance Churches.

I note your prediction is that "eventually" the hiring restriction will be dropped and I predict that if and when that happens CBF will see a terrific drop in support.