Grapevine, USA - The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, an alliance of 1,800 congregations that oppose conservative leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention, removed mention of Jesus Christ from its constitution at an annual meeting, Baptist media reported.
Previously, the fellowship's stated purpose was to bring Baptists together "in order that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be spread throughout the world in glad obedience to the Great Commission," referring to Jesus' call to win disciples.
The new language says the purpose is "to serve Christians and churches as they discover and fulfill their God-given mission."
The 2,300 voters defeated two bids from the floor to refer the change to a committee.
Southern Baptist Convention leaders criticized the rival group for making the change. The Rev. Russell Moore, a dean at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., said "this represents the eclipse of Christ."
But the Rev. Bob Setzer of Macon, Ga., moderator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, said "Jesus is present in all we think, do and say in CBF, and anybody who reads that statement otherwise is not being fair to (Jesus) or us."