STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING FROM SBC of Virginia Executive Director, Brian Autry
Brian Autry, executive director of the SBC of Virginia (Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia; a convention of over 650 Southern Baptist churches), has released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage. “The SBC of Virginia and affiliated churches have repeatedly and consistently stated that biblical and Christian marriage, as instituted by God and as recorded in Holy Scripture, is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime.
We are resolute in the conviction that God's biblical design for marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime (Genesis 1:27, 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6).
As followers of the Lord Jesus, may we not only promote the biblical definition of marriage, but also provide a demonstration of biblical marriage that is a testimony to the grace and truth of God’s power in redeeming lives for His glory.
The Supreme Court split-decision, 5-4, does not change our understanding, nor negate our calling as ministers of the gospel and preachers of the Word of God. We must continue to pray for revival and spiritual awakening.
We continue in our Christian calling to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, speaking the truth in love; affirming God’s offer of redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking his mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-13).
The Church is not to be a creation of culture, or to panic in light of this court action. The Lord Jesus is the resurrected and living Lord. We are called to be His overcoming Church. We are to be salt and light, a city on a hill. As the New Testament states, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
The SBC of Virginia has resources that can assist churches as they respond to this issue.
- The Resolution on the Reaffirmation of Biblical Marriage at SBC of Virginia Annual Meeting, November 2014, meeting in Colonial Heights, Virginia is available at sbcv.org.
- The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has published “Protecting Your Ministry,” a 44-page booklet designed especially for churches. The free guide may be downloaded at ERLC.com/store.
- Resources partners that can assist with legal or church constitution questions. Further information and resources for churches and pastors related to this important issue are available by contacting the SBC of Virginia.
Contact Information:
SBC of Virginia
Executive Director’s Office
(888) 234-7716