“[I]t is a recognition that we can not hold together the large coalition of Baptists needed to create a new Baptist voice in North America and address the issue of sexual orientation at the same time.

So the solution is to exclude only the pro-gay members from the “unified voice”? That strikes me as illogical, as it gives the anti-gay members full control. A more honest solution would be to exclude any group that takes any strong stance on the topic. That or else require all members to “agree to disagree” on the topic of sexual orientation for the time being and focus on other matters.

Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Which to me, expounds on this verse, the most important one in my opinion:

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

But the paragraph just after the one you quoted said:

“This is not a rejection of either organization or the people in those organization[s],” wrote Alan Stanford, general secretary of the NABF, in a July 18 e-mail alerting leaders of the two groups to NABF’s decision. “[I]t is a recognition that we can not hold together the large coalition of Baptists needed to create a new Baptist voice in North America and address the issue of sexual orientation at the same time. We ask for your forbearance and understanding.”

It seems that the Bible is clear that one thing must be resolved before the other. Much of this sentiment was expressed in the link, that the current injuries OF church behavior must be resolved before they can even move forward AS a church.

It’s like they’re trying to see the forest for the trees without having defined the meaning of trees first.