Baptist World Alliance OKs Moderate Faction
A group representing moderate Southern Baptists who split from the conservative leadership of their denomination has been granted membership in the Baptist World Alliance.
The alliance -- an association of Baptist faiths around the globe -- voted at a July 11 meeting in Brazil to approve the application of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, based in Atlanta, over the objections of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Anticipating the vote, the Southern Baptist Convention decided last month to cut $125,000 of its annual $425,000 payment to the Baptist World Alliance, which represents more than 200 organizations.
Daniel Vestal, coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, described the vote as “a validation” of his organization.
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