Baptist Ministers still can’t enter same-sex marriages – I wish they could

As the Baptist Union votes to uphold its historic teaching and not permit ministers to enter into a same-sex marriage, two Baptist ministers discuss their differing views. Here, Ashley Hardingham explains why he holds a liberal position, which has been written in response to Chris Goswami’s view that marriage is between one man and one woman

This week, the Baptist Union Council, following two years of consultation with individuals and churches, issued a statement on ministers and same-sex marriage.

Ashley Hardingham is Lead Minister at Altrincham Baptist Church and has taken his church through an 18-month conversation to a “fully inclusive” view. A stone’s throw away, Chris Goswami is Associate Minister at Lymm Baptist Church and takes a traditional view on marriage. They are good friends with contrasting opinions. Both feel that being able to disagree well is more important than their opinions. Their conversation illustrates the importance of continuing dialogue in a spirit of love and openness.