The New York Times published an article highlighting the Southern Baptist Convention’s appointment of Fred Luter Jr. to the office of first vice president of the covention. As the article notes, Luter is “the widely admired pastor of a largely black church in New Orleans,” drawing attention to the fact that the SBC is taking steps to diversify its leadership. The article goes on to mention R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his thoughts concerning multiethnic leadership and the difference between issues of race and issues of sexual morality:
“Leadership has to emerge naturally, but we bear a moral responsibility to encourage development of multiethnic leaders,” Mr. Mohler said in a phone interview.
Gay and lesbian advocates on Wednesday called on the Southern Baptists to apologize for antihomosexual policies and for what they called destructive efforts to “cure” people of homosexuality.
Mr. Mohler said that in contrast to racial issues, the church view that homosexual behavior is a sin is dictated by the Bible. “We cannot compromise without disobeying the Scriptures,” he said, adding that it is also an article of faith that the Holy Spirit can transform people.
The New York Times Web site carries the full article.