Chapter 2: Introduction to the Report
Some members of BUGB requested a change to the MR Rules, Appendix 3, Section 4.3 which says:
‘Sexual Misconduct which brings the church and ministry into disrepute. NB This specifically includes sexual intercourse and other genital sexual activity outside of marriage (as defined exclusively as between a man and a woman).’
They requested that the last section in brackets is removed, which would mean that a minister who is in a same-sex marriage would no longer be committing gross misconduct and lose their accreditation.
The Baptist Union Council appointed an external, independent Consultation Research Team to enable a consultation about this request. The Consultation Research Team are all Christians from diverse backgrounds and different denominations. This diversity in the team was intentional. It is essential in this work. We are professionally independent with a wide range of experience and capabilities. The names of the team are at the end of the Report.
The MR Rules Consultation invited churches, colleges, associations and ministers to participate in an online survey. They were invited to share their response to the request to remove the bracketed section by participating in the MR Rules Consultation. The online survey was open from May - November 2023. There was also an MR Consultation Listening Space at the Baptist Assembly 2023. The MR Rules Consultation Timeline is in the Appendices.
The questions asked in the MR Rules Consultation Survey were provided by the Council. They included questions about the request to change the MR Rules and questions about the impact on missional and pastoral life of different decisions the Council might make. It also requested information about ways in which churches and ministers had engaged with matters reacting to human sexuality. The Consultation Research Team gave shape to the questions and identified approaches to them - a sliding scale, a tick box, etc – that best suited each question. Copies of the survey questions can be found in the Appendices.
The Consultation Research Team offered a Listening Space at the Baptist Assembly, which took place during the MR Rules Consultation. This was an opportunity for people to speak with members of the team, whose role was to listen.
Once the surveys had closed at the end of November 2023 the Consultation Research Team analysed and synthesised the responses from the surveys and the Baptist Assembly Listening Space. We have sought to accurately, faithfully and authentically summarise what we heard through the Consultation. We have not been asked by the Council to express opinions or to make recommendations.
The responses to the MR Rules Consultation are summarised in this Report. The Council will receive this Report in February 2024.
Any typographical errors are our own.
Whichever way you read this, by dipping in and out of different sections or by reading it from front to back, we encourage you to read the whole Report and to read it prayerfully. We pray for you as you read and reflect on this Report.