1995-JUN The Columbus Baptist Association expelled the Granville Baptist Church in Granville, OH. It was a member of the AWAB.
1995-NOV: Some members of the ABCUSA expressed concern that debates about the homosexual issue in the ABCUSA could eventually cause schism. The General Board created a Commission on Denominational Unity. Its purpose was "... to find ways to deal constructively with issues around which there has been considerable disagreement." The homosexual issue was specifically mentioned as one of the issues.
The American Baptist Churches of the West conditionally expelled four California congregations: the New Community of Faith of San Franciso; the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church of Oakland; the First Baptist Church of Berkeley, and the San Leandro Community Church of San Leandro. They were all AWAB members.
The Commission on Human Sexuality Resources, created in 1992-JUN issued its "Final Report and Annotated Bibliography." They had received feedback from church organizations and membership that human sexuality should be studied from a strong biblical and theological grounding. Equal rights for homosexuals was not identified as a priority concern.
"admonished the Church of the Covenant to accept the stand of the General Board of American Baptist Churches/USA and the Alaska Association of Baptist Churches and Institutions, and if they choose not to accept this standard, that they clearly identify their views and actions as their own as opposed to the stand of American Baptist Churches/USA and the Alaska Association of Baptist Churches and Institutions."
1996-JUN: The ABCUSA voted by close margins to expel the four California churches which had been conditionally disfellowshipped in 1996-JAN.
1996-AUG: The Ministers Council of the American Baptist Churches USA sponsored a dialog on homosexuality between theologians Dr. Manfred Brauch and Dr. William Herzog. Each interpreted the anti-gay "clobber" passages in the Bible very differently. A video tape of the dialogue was made available.
That the 1992 "Resolution on Homosexuality" represents the current beliefs of the membership.
That the 1993 "American Baptist Resolution Calling for Dialogue on Issues of Human Sexuality" is still valid.
That a church dismissed by a region can appeal the decision to the General Board, but only "if it believes that it was denied due process."
2003-SEP-20: According to the Christian Century magazine, about a dozen ABC regions have some congregations that affirm and accept homosexuals.