What makes a Baptist church Baptist? Casual observers might be tempted to stereotype the churches of the American South, but scholar Andrew B. Gardner paints a portrait of one North Carolina congregation that defies easy categorization. Established in 1958 in the college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church immediately sought to establish a welcoming religious community—focusing initially on bringing in both Black and White congregants and, as ideas about inclusivity developed, on accepting all people, regardless of identity. By naming itself for a theologically progressive preacher and professor, the fledgling church signaled a perspective unfamiliar to Baptists in the South, which gave the church a radical edge. The church’s first pastor, Robert Seymour, also possessed a progressive vision that resonated with his congregants and pushed them to commit to justice and equality. Soon after its founding, the church strived to challenge inequality in segregated Chapel Hill. Although it remained predominantly White well into the twenty-first century, Binkley evolved to become increasingly aware of issues of gender equality, equity, LGBTQ inclusion, and climate justice. Addressing these issues was Binkley’s way of building God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Binkley: A Congregational History tells the story of a single church with a complicated past, demonstrating that, while liberal in heritage, it operated with an unconsciously White, heteronormative worldview that slowly evolved into a distinct expression of faith. The author also draws on scholarship within the broader field of American religious history to position Binkley—with all its complexities, conflicts, and nuances—within the broader context of twentieth-century liberal Protestantism. Perhaps most importantly, Gardner tells the story of a place animated by a vision of Christianity that is often overlooked or drowned out by larger and louder Christian groups. He compellingly shows how this progressive vision of Christianity has shaped Binkley’s commitment to its community and beyond.

Excerpt from The Ordeal and Tragedy of Binkley Baptist Church During 1991 and 1992 the Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, was guided through what became a highly divisive and rending experience. On the surface it would seem that the issue Of homosexuality was the question over which differing opinions created the rift that caused many members to leave. The request for licensure to preach by John Blevins, an openly gay, sexually active ministerial student at Duke University who joined Binkley Church in December 1990, was the focal point of that issue and the events which followed. However, when one reviews what was said and done during the past year, it becomes abundantly clear that John Blevins and the issue of homosexuality were only the catalyst which brought to the fore a number of other divisive issues. In the first section that follows is an historical chronology summarizing those events that occurred within Binkley Baptist Church primarily during 1991 and 1992 dealing with the issue of homosexuality as well as other divisive issues, such as Biblical interpretation, ordination, local church autonomy, and political processes within the church. This survey was assembled from Binkley church records and from position statements and letters provided by members expressing their views on the issues and the process over the period. An attempt was made to identify the major actions taken by all sides in the controversy, providing a synopsis of those views expressed for and against the issues as well as the process used to pursue the main question. No attempt was made to summarize any literature on the subject from sources outside of the church, whether or not provided by the leadership or members. And secondly, a subjective analysis has been placed at the end of this survey, for it is my view that there exists a serious misconception in the minds of many members as well as the general public as to what actually occurred at Binkley over the past year. This analysis is my own evaluation of how and why my Church has been effectively destroyed for me, and, evidently, for a sizable group of other members as well who have either left or are simply fading away. For it now embraces various policies, initiatives and loyalties which are viewed as simply unacceptable. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.