Missouri Baptist Convention ousts 19 churches over ties to moderates

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (ABP) -- The Missouri Baptist Convention voted Oct. 31 to oust 19 congregations -- some of which have been part of the group since its beginning -- because of their affiliations with moderate Baptist groups.

The move is likely the largest exclusion of congregations from a United States Baptist body in recent history.

During its 172nd annual meeting in Cape Girardeau, the convention voted to refuse to seat messengers from any of the congregations at the meeting or future meetings. The convention has a single-alignment requirement that prohibits churches from belonging to other Baptist organizations.

The vote came without recorded dissent. Only one of the congregations -- most of which had been warned about the move to oust them ahead of time -- sent messengers to the meeting.

http://www.abpnews.com/1469.article.print

They'll wind up purging everybody who doesn't fit, so that only about 10 churches remain in that group. Self-limiting influence.

Tho' I certainly have sympathy for the good people who will be "purged" for their impurity. :eyes: :-(

Baptists are the champs when it comes to splitting.