Responding to the Southern Baptist Convention's June decision to quit the Baptist World Alliance, the Baptist General Association of Virginia decided with minimal dissent to seek its own membership in the international body.
It's unclear whether the Virginia group will apply for full membership or a new category of associate membership in the alliance, Baptist Press reported.
A Virginia association meeting also increased annual support for the alliance from about $90,000 to $150,000, largely by cutting donations to the Southern Baptists' International Mission Board.
On a related matter, a report said only two congregations quit the Virginia association this year to join the rival Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia, an organization that supports the national denomination's policies and represents about 430 congregations.
At the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting, a proposal to study establishing a tie with the world alliance was rejected in a 510-444 vote.
The national Southern Baptist Convention left the world alliance because of a perceived liberal shift in the group, including support of women pastors and ``gay-friendly congregations.''