Messianic Jewish Group Drops Southern Baptist Affiliation

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (RNS) -- A fellowship of Messianic Jews has decided to end its affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention.

The North American Messianic Association sent a letter Jan. 22 to SBC President James Merritt informing him of the decision.

James Austin, president of the group whose members believe Jesus is the Messiah while maintaining they remain Jews, said in a statement the move will help the group continue its efforts to create more congregations.

"It has been impossible for NAMA to obtain comfort and support within the convention, either at the local or national level," he said. "This is primarily due (to) scriptural and cultural differences."

Austin told Religion News Service that members of his group have been concerned about whether some Southern Baptist leaders are sensitive to racial and ethnic groups.

"There's a lot of people that want to be a part of us but they don't want to be a part of Southern Baptists," he said. "Southern Baptists, for some people, have a problem identifying with ethnic sensitivities."

Martin King, spokesman for the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, said the Messianic fellowship was one of almost two dozen ethnic fellowships affiliated with the denomination.

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