Pullen Memorial Baptist Church
Encyclopedia
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church is an 850-member Baptist church
located in Raleigh
, North Carolina
, US, that has a decades-long tradition of progressive
stands on social issues
. These have encompassed civil rights for African American
s and other minorities. In 1958, for instance, unlike most predominantly white
Baptist congregations, the church stated it welcomed African Americans.
In the last two decades, social issues have included Pullen Memorial's stance on sexual issues. In 1992 the Southern Baptist Convention
expelled the church for its blessing a same-sex union
. In 2002, lesbian
minister Nancy Petty was selected to be co-pastor
with Jack McKinney, making Pullen the first Baptist church in the South
known to have chosen an openly homosexual person as lead clergy
. In addition, the church now performs three or four "holy union
ceremonies" a year, which are blessings for same-sex couples.
Pullen's Sunday service was named "The Best Sermon to Hear on a Sunday Morning" by the Independent Weekly
, a local progressive newspaper based in Durham
.
It is a member of the Community of the Cross of Nails
, Alliance of Baptists
, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
, North Carolina Council of Churches
, and Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
, an organization of Baptist churches that welcome members regardless of sexual orientation
.
Baptist Church. It renamed itself in 1913 after the death of John T. Pullen, who had been a lay leader
of the church. J.A. Ellis, who became the pastor in 1919, was the first of many Pullen preachers known for applying the Bible
to justify controversial social issues. In 1921 the church's Fayetteville Street building was destroyed by a fire and the congregation began holding services in Pullen Hall on the campus of North Carolina State College (now known as North Carolina State University
). The church moved to its current location on Hillsborough Street
in 1923.
William Wallace Finlator (1913–2006) became pastor in 1956 and served until 1982. He was known for taking challenging stands on social issues, helping cement the church's reputation as liberal
. Rev. Jack McKinney described Finlator as "one of the most loved--and most despised--North Carolinians of his day". In 1958 under Finlator's leadership, Pullen Memorial "declared itself open to all people regardless of race". Finlator promoted integration
of North Carolina schools. During the volatile years of the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans considered Pullen Memorial a "safe haven", one of the few predominantly white churches where people could have an open discussion about the movement and not risk backlash. Finlator spoke strongly against segregation
and, during the 1970s, against the Vietnam War
.
The 1958 church constitution "affirmed the acceptance into full membership of Christians who transferred membership from other denominations". Baptist practice generally only accepts those who have accepted Christ and been baptized in the Baptist Church. In the early 1970s, some members of the State Baptist Convention attempted to oust Pullen Memorial, along with twelve other churches, for that position, but they were unsuccessful.
During the 1980s under President
Ronald Reagan
's build-up of the Defense Department
, the church was active in opposing the nuclear arms race
.
In 1986, Pullen Church began a sister-church relationship with Martin Street Baptist Church, a black congregation in Raleigh. Two years later, Pullen also became a sister-church with the First Baptist Church of Matanzas, Cuba
. Pullen members have since gone on several trips to Cuba, helping the First Baptist Church with building and community projects.
In 1992, the congregation of Pullen Memorial "endorsed unqualified acceptance of homosexual Christians
and their full participation in the life and work of the church". This endorsement and the church's blessing of a same-sex union led to its expulsion from the Raleigh Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The SBC also expelled Binkley Memorial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
, for allowing a gay person to preach. Reverend Jack McKinney serves on the steering committee of the North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality
, which continues to sponsor speakers on this issue. In 2006, Raleigh native James A. Forbes
, senior pastor of the historic Riverside Church
in New York City
, spoke at an interfaith
service at Pullen Memorial and addressed issues of sexuality and rights in the United States.
In 2002, McKinney wrote an op-ed
in The News & Observer
expressing his concerns about sex education
in the Wake County Public School System
. He stated,
McKinney endorsed the Planned Parenthood
Clergy Advisory Board statement on sexuality education.
During the time leading up to the Iraq War, McKinney spoke out against the invasion
saying, "If the church feels the government is over-reaching, we have to stand up and say we don't think this is wise."
People of Faith Against the Death Penalty awarded Pullen Memorial its 2005 Faith in Action Award for its stance and work against the death penalty
. Jack McKinney has called for a moratorium
on executions in North Carolina.
The church complex is undergoing a building expansion that will add an additional 9600 sq ft (891.9 m²) to the current facility. The congregation made sustainability
an integral part of the plan. The building plan was recognized by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
for its design and use of solar energy, green roof
s, and water recycling
. The expansion will be heated and cooled by a geothermal heat pump.
McKinney stepped down in 2009, leaving Nancy Petty as the church's sole pastor.
American Baptist Churches USA
The American Baptist Churches USA is a Baptist Christian denomination within the United States. The denomination maintains headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The organization is usually considered mainline, although varying theological and mission emphases may be found among its...
located in Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, US, that has a decades-long tradition of progressive
Progressivism in the United States
Progressivism in the United States is a broadly based reform movement that reached its height early in the 20th century and is generally considered to be middle class and reformist in nature. It arose as a response to the vast changes brought by modernization, such as the growth of large...
stands on social issues
Social issues
Social issues are controversial issues which relate to people's personal lives and interactions. Social issues are distinguished from economic issues...
. These have encompassed civil rights for African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
s and other minorities. In 1958, for instance, unlike most predominantly white
White people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
Baptist congregations, the church stated it welcomed African Americans.
In the last two decades, social issues have included Pullen Memorial's stance on sexual issues. In 1992 the Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention is a United States-based Christian denomination. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination and the largest Protestant body in the United States, with over 16 million members...
expelled the church for its blessing a same-sex union
Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches
The blessing of same-sex unions is currently an issue about which some Christian churches are at present in disagreement with other Christian churches...
. In 2002, lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
minister Nancy Petty was selected to be co-pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
with Jack McKinney, making Pullen the first Baptist church in the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
known to have chosen an openly homosexual person as lead clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
. In addition, the church now performs three or four "holy union
Same-sex union
Same-sex unions are legal or religious unions between two persons of the same sex.In legal contexts, their recognition varies based upon the region in which the union is formed. Some regions allow same-sex marriage, civil marriage between two persons of the same sex. Others recognize civil unions...
ceremonies" a year, which are blessings for same-sex couples.
Pullen's Sunday service was named "The Best Sermon to Hear on a Sunday Morning" by the Independent Weekly
Independent Weekly
The Independent Weekly is a tabloid-format alternative weekly newspaper published in Durham, North Carolina, United States and distributed throughout the Research Triangle area and counties .The Independent is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies and has a...
, a local progressive newspaper based in Durham
Durham, North Carolina
Durham is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the county seat of Durham County and also extends into Wake County. It is the fifth-largest city in the state, and the 85th-largest in the United States by population, with 228,330 residents as of the 2010 United States census...
.
It is a member of the Community of the Cross of Nails
International Centre for Reconciliation
The International Centre for Reconciliation is based at Coventry Cathedral, UK and was established in 1940 after the destruction of the cathedral in the Second World War. Rather than seek revenge for the devastation caused, the Centre's founders vowed to promote reconciliation in areas of conflict...
, Alliance of Baptists
Alliance of Baptists
The Alliance of Baptists is a fellowship of Baptist churches and individuals in the United States. In its theology and social stances, the Alliance is characterized as a progressive or liberal Christian fellowship...
, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, abbreviated BPFNA, is a nonprofit 501 organization headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
, North Carolina Council of Churches
National Council of Churches
The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA is an ecumenical partnership of 37 Christian faith groups in the United States. Its member denominations, churches, conventions, and archdioceses include Mainline Protestant, Orthodox, African American, Evangelical, and historic peace...
, and Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is a group consisting of Baptist individuals, organizations, and congregations that are committed to advocating and encouraging the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the lives and ministries of Baptist churches...
, an organization of Baptist churches that welcome members regardless of sexual orientation
Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a pattern of emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to the opposite sex, the same sex, both, or neither, and the genders that accompany them. By the convention of organized researchers, these attractions are subsumed under heterosexuality, homosexuality,...
.
History
The church began in 1884 as a mission of First Baptist Church and was organized on December 28, 1884 as Fayetteville StreetFayetteville Street (Raleigh)
Fayetteville Street is a major street in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. It is a north-south thoroughfare that connects the State Capitol to the Raleigh Convention Center and the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts...
Baptist Church. It renamed itself in 1913 after the death of John T. Pullen, who had been a lay leader
Lay leader
A lay leader is a member of the laity in any congregation who has been chosen as a leader. Since lay leadership is not an ordained clerical office, the lay leader's responsibilities vary according to the particular tradition to which he or she belongs...
of the church. J.A. Ellis, who became the pastor in 1919, was the first of many Pullen preachers known for applying the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
to justify controversial social issues. In 1921 the church's Fayetteville Street building was destroyed by a fire and the congregation began holding services in Pullen Hall on the campus of North Carolina State College (now known as North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
). The church moved to its current location on Hillsborough Street
Hillsborough Street
Hillsborough Street is a prominent business and cultural thoroughfare through Raleigh, North Carolina. The street serves as a center for social life among North Carolina State University students. Nearby Meredith College students also frequent the street's area businesses...
in 1923.
William Wallace Finlator (1913–2006) became pastor in 1956 and served until 1982. He was known for taking challenging stands on social issues, helping cement the church's reputation as liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
. Rev. Jack McKinney described Finlator as "one of the most loved--and most despised--North Carolinians of his day". In 1958 under Finlator's leadership, Pullen Memorial "declared itself open to all people regardless of race". Finlator promoted integration
Racial integration
Racial integration, or simply integration includes desegregation . In addition to desegregation, integration includes goals such as leveling barriers to association, creating equal opportunity regardless of race, and the development of a culture that draws on diverse traditions, rather than merely...
of North Carolina schools. During the volatile years of the Civil Rights Movement, African Americans considered Pullen Memorial a "safe haven", one of the few predominantly white churches where people could have an open discussion about the movement and not risk backlash. Finlator spoke strongly against segregation
Racial segregation in the United States
Racial segregation in the United States, as a general term, included the racial segregation or hypersegregation of facilities, services, and opportunities such as housing, medical care, education, employment, and transportation along racial lines...
and, during the 1970s, against the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
The 1958 church constitution "affirmed the acceptance into full membership of Christians who transferred membership from other denominations". Baptist practice generally only accepts those who have accepted Christ and been baptized in the Baptist Church. In the early 1970s, some members of the State Baptist Convention attempted to oust Pullen Memorial, along with twelve other churches, for that position, but they were unsuccessful.
During the 1980s under President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's build-up of the Defense Department
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, the church was active in opposing the nuclear arms race
Nuclear arms race
The nuclear arms race was a competition for supremacy in nuclear warfare between the United States, the Soviet Union, and their respective allies during the Cold War...
.
In 1986, Pullen Church began a sister-church relationship with Martin Street Baptist Church, a black congregation in Raleigh. Two years later, Pullen also became a sister-church with the First Baptist Church of Matanzas, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Pullen members have since gone on several trips to Cuba, helping the First Baptist Church with building and community projects.
In 1992, the congregation of Pullen Memorial "endorsed unqualified acceptance of homosexual Christians
Homosexuality and Christianity
Christian denominations hold a variety of views on the issues of sexual orientation and homosexuality, ranging from outright condemnation to complete acceptance. In accordance with the traditional values of Abrahamic religions, most Christian denominations welcome people attracted to the same sex,...
and their full participation in the life and work of the church". This endorsement and the church's blessing of a same-sex union led to its expulsion from the Raleigh Baptist Association, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The SBC also expelled Binkley Memorial in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, for allowing a gay person to preach. Reverend Jack McKinney serves on the steering committee of the North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality
North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality
The North Carolina Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality was an interfaith same-sex marriage advocacy group composed of religious leaders in North Carolina. The group's headquarters were at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh which has hosted speeches with James A. Forbes of the...
, which continues to sponsor speakers on this issue. In 2006, Raleigh native James A. Forbes
James A. Forbes
James Alexander Forbes, Jr. is the Senior Minister Emeritus of the Riverside Church, an interdenominational church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York City. He was the first African American minister to lead this multicultural congregation, and served it for 18 years.- Early life and...
, senior pastor of the historic Riverside Church
Riverside Church
The Riverside Church in the City of New York is an interdenominational church in New York City, famous for its elaborate Neo-Gothic architecture—which includes the world's largest tuned carillon bell...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, spoke at an interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
service at Pullen Memorial and addressed issues of sexuality and rights in the United States.
In 2002, McKinney wrote an op-ed
Op-ed
An op-ed, abbreviated from opposite the editorial page , is a newspaper article that expresses the opinions of a named writer who is usually unaffiliated with the newspaper's editorial board...
in The News & Observer
The News & Observer
The News & Observer is the regional daily newspaper of the Research Triangle area of the U.S. State of North Carolina. The N&O, as it is popularly called, is based in Raleigh and also covers Durham, Cary, and Chapel Hill. The paper also has substantial readership in most of the state east of...
expressing his concerns about sex education
Sex education
Sex education refers to formal programs of instruction on a wide range of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and...
in the Wake County Public School System
Wake County Public School System
The Wake County Public School System is a public school district located in Wake County, North Carolina. With 143,289 students enrolled in 163 schools as of the 2010/11 academic year, it is the largest public school district in North Carolina and the 17th largest district in the United States.-...
. He stated,
"The most trusted medical and scientific institutions in our nation recommend sexuality education that includes age-appropriate and medically accurate information about abstinenceSexual abstinenceSexual abstinence is the practice of refraining from some or all aspects of sexual activity for medical, psychological, legal, social, philosophical or religious reasons.Common reasons for practicing sexual abstinence include:*poor health - medical celibacy...
and contraceptionBirth controlBirth control is an umbrella term for several techniques and methods used to prevent fertilization or to interrupt pregnancy at various stages. Birth control techniques and methods include contraception , contragestion and abortion...
. But we don't have that in Wake CountyWake County, North CarolinaWake County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 900,993 making it North Carolina's second most populated county...
. We have a strict abstinence-based curriculum that is driven by conservative religious values, has no track record of success and ignores the complicated and frightening realities in which our children live."
McKinney endorsed the Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood Federation of America , commonly shortened to Planned Parenthood, is the U.S. affiliate of the International Planned Parenthood Federation and one of its larger members. PPFA is a non-profit organization providing reproductive health and maternal and child health services. The...
Clergy Advisory Board statement on sexuality education.
During the time leading up to the Iraq War, McKinney spoke out against the invasion
2003 invasion of Iraq
The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...
saying, "If the church feels the government is over-reaching, we have to stand up and say we don't think this is wise."
People of Faith Against the Death Penalty awarded Pullen Memorial its 2005 Faith in Action Award for its stance and work against the death penalty
Capital punishment in the United States
Capital punishment in the United States, in practice, applies only for aggravated murder and more rarely for felony murder. Capital punishment was a penalty at common law, for many felonies, and was enforced in all of the American colonies prior to the Declaration of Independence...
. Jack McKinney has called for a moratorium
Moratorium (law)
A moratorium is a delay or suspension of an activity or a law. In a legal context, it may refer to the temporary suspension of a law to allow a legal challenge to be carried out....
on executions in North Carolina.
The church complex is undergoing a building expansion that will add an additional 9600 sq ft (891.9 m²) to the current facility. The congregation made sustainability
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
an integral part of the plan. The building plan was recognized by the North Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...
for its design and use of solar energy, green roof
Green roof
A green roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems...
s, and water recycling
Reclaimed water
Reclaimed water or recycled water, is former wastewater that is treated to remove solids and certain impurities, and used in sustainable landscaping irrigation or to recharge groundwater aquifers...
. The expansion will be heated and cooled by a geothermal heat pump.
McKinney stepped down in 2009, leaving Nancy Petty as the church's sole pastor.
See also
- EcumenismEcumenismEcumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
- Homosexuality and Baptist churchesHomosexuality and Baptist churchesDescribing the Baptist view on homosexuality is difficult due to the multitude of Baptist organizations, each with a slightly different doctrinal statement...
- Progressive ChristianityProgressive ChristianityProgressive Christianity is the name given to a movement within contemporary Christianity characterized by willingness to question tradition, acceptance of human diversity with a strong emphasis on social justice or care for the poor and the oppressed and environmental stewardship of the Earth...
- The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and HealingThe Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and HealingThe Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing is an American multi-faith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society. It was co-founded in 2001 by Reverend Debra W. Haffner, a Unitarian Universalist minister and...
Further reading
- Our Heritage and Our Hope, a History of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church (1884–1984), by Roger H. Crook, The History Committee - Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, 1985, ISBN 978-0961448509
- Dissenter in the Baptist Southland: Fifty Years in the Career of William Wallace Finlator, by G. McLeod Bryan, Mercer University PressMercer University PressMercer University Press, established in 1979, is a publisher that is part of Mercer University....
, 1985, ISBN 978-0865541764