Hatboro Baptist Church - A Non-Discrimination Policy

       Throughout the history of Hatboro Baptist Church, we have sought to be an open and welcoming body to all who come. This practice is not based on the political climate, but in the nature of the Church. The Apostle Paul made it clear that in Christ there is no room for discrimination (Gal 3:28). Peter said that if God has declared a person clean, we cannot call them unclean (Acts 10:28). Through the generations we have embraced broad diversity of interpretation of scripture knowing that we gather not around disputable matters (Romans 14:1), but around the person of Christ.

And so, in the tradition of non-discrimination and faithfulness to the Body of Christ, in all facets of the life and ministry of our church, including but not limited to membership, baptism, ordination, marriage, teaching and committee/organizational leadership, Hatboro Baptist Church will not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental ability, nationality, or economic class. While we recognize that members hold different convictions and that faithful believers interpret the scriptures differently, as the Church of Jesus Christ we are united not by our adherence to a particular set of doctrinal beliefs, or by a single interpretation of scripture. We are made one by the Holy Spirit and our commitment to follow Jesus Christ and obey the New Commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us. This is what it means to be the church – diverse and respectful of God’s unique work in the life of every member.

Adopted by Council November 10, 2015

Addendum: The history of non-discrimination has been a core principle in the life of Hatboro Baptist Church. This principle was evident in 1963 when Hatboro Baptist Church built the current sanctuary. As part of the bidding process for the building, the following resolution was passed: “Where as, in the light of the Christian Faith, discrimination against a person because of race or color is an evil and is contrary to the purposes of God that all men be one in Jesus Christ, and where as this building is to be erected in the name of God and to his glory, there shall be no discrimination in hiring of workers for this project because of race, color, or creed. Any contractor bidding on this job will be expected to state his acceptance of this stipulation.”