The (Not So) Great Baptist Schism (with Andrew Dodd & Scott Higgins)

In this powerful conversation, Will Small sits down with Andrew Dodd and Scott Higgins from Hamilton Baptist Church following their historic disaffiliation from the NSW/ACT Baptist Association after 99 years of membership (the first time this has happened in the 150+ year history of the Association).

After a six-year bureaucratic process, Hamilton Baptist and Canberra Baptist were formally removed from the Association for their affirming stance toward LGBTQ+ people. Andrew and Scott share the painful journey that led to this moment, the flawed process that never allowed for actual biblical discussion, and the surprising hope they've found in what they're calling "Day One" of a new chapter.

In this episode:

• The six-year process that led to the disaffiliation vote
• How real relationships with LGBTQ+ Christians transformed their theology
• The irony of a Baptist denomination refusing to discuss biblical interpretation
• The powerful speeches Andrew and Scott delivered at the final assembly
• The emerging network of Open Baptists creating new possibilities

Links:

• Open Baptists website
• Previous Spiritual Misfits episodes with Hamilton Baptist (Part 1)
• Previous Spiritual Misfits episodes with Hamilton Baptist (Part 2)
• Previous Spiritual Misfits episode about the Open Baptists (with Christine Redwood, Belinda Groves and Nathan Nettleton)

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