Pastor Of Metro Atlanta Church Expelled From Southern Baptist Convention Over LGBTQ Inclusivity Speaks Out

In this Feb. 18 photo, Pastor Jim Conrad stands in the Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw. In its 2021 meeting, the Southern Baptist Convention’s executive committee voted to oust the church for allowing LGBTQ people to become members of its congregation.

Angie Wang / Associated Press

A committee that oversees more than 50,000 Southern Baptist churches voted to oust congregations in Kentucky and Georgia this week, over policies deemed to be too inclusive of the LGBTQ community.

Southern Baptist Convention leaders expelled a Louisville church and Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Towne View’s pastor, the Rev. Jim Conrad, told WABE’s “All Things Considered” host Jim Burress that he now plans to join with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, which lets churches set their own inclusive policies. Conrad said he would not appeal the executive committee’s decision.