A California church which has refused
to condemn gay unions has been ousted from the Southern Baptist
Convention.
According to ABPNews.com,
the vote to expel New Heart Community Church in La Miranda took place
Tuesday in Nashville and was unanimous.
The SBC Executive Committee said it was
ousting New Heart because it no longer meets the definition of a
“cooperating church” as described in the SBC constitution, which
forbids congregations from acting “to affirm, approve or endorse
homosexual behavior.”
The move comes in response to Pastor
Danny Cortez's declaration that he no longer believes that being gay
is a sin. Cortez cited his son's coming out in announcing his change
of heart.
Instead of removing Cortez, the
congregation at New Heart voted on May 18 to become a “Third Way”
church, which is neutral on the issue.
(Related: Southern
Baptist pastor reverses opposition to homosexuality; congregation
votes to keep him.)
Cortez reportedly met with the
subcommittee that brought the recommendation to the floor. He said
after the vote that he wasn't speaking to the media.