Marietta's Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, one of the larger congregations in metro Atlanta, is severing ties with the Boy Scouts of America, following Scouting's recent decision to permit gay youth to join.
MARIETTA, Ga. -- Marietta's Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, one of the larger congregations in metro Atlanta, is severing ties with the Boy Scouts of America, following Scouting's recent decision to permit gay youth to join.
Bryant Wright, Johnson Ferry's senior pastor saidin a video messagethat the decision runs counter to the tenants of the church's core belief structure. He said that while Jesus Christ loved and ministered to all people, but did not condone lifestyle choices that "run counter to the Word of God."
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Wright said that the church was "deeply grieved" over the decision to sever ties with the Boy Scouts of America, but that they will look at alternative means to "preserve the spirit of Scouting without causing to compromise the spirit of God's Word."
The Church, Wright said, would make every effort to permit Eagle Scouts presently based with Troop 955, based at Johnson Ferry Baptist to complete the projects they are currently engaged in.
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church is a member of the 45,000-congregation strong Southern Baptist Convention, the largest protestant body in the United States. The Southern Baptist Convention has come out strongly against the decision by the Boy Scouts. Wright is the former president of the national body, having served in that capacity from June 2010 to June 2012.
