(Letter from Cam Watts, Aymler Baptist Church)

Dr. Ken Bellous
Executive Minister
Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec
195 The West Mall
Suite 414
Etobicoke, ON, M9C 5K1



29 October, 2003

Dear Ken,

It has taken me some time to articulate my response to the notice from Council regarding the September 19 motion to circumscribe my behaviour as a Pastor.

It is the first time the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec (BCOQ) has issued a directive to me. In the past you have trusted me to exercise my own conscience before God in matters of morality. In the past you have trusted the members of my churches and me to be accountable to each other with regard to moral decisions. I cannot imagine what has happened to cause Council to choose to threaten me with sanction (removal of permanent registration) if I do not accede to the directive.

I have some questions for you.

What has changed in my relationship with BCOQ that you now feel bound to direct my behaviour?

What has changed in my church’s relationship with BCOQ that you find it necessary to ask them to affirm this directive (instead of, as in the past, allowing us to make our own mutually-accountable decisions)?

For what other actions can I expect to be given directives (for example, since the attendant Assembly Resolution specifically states that marriage is between one man and one woman for life, I am assuming I will hear something about remarrying divorced persons)?

If the answer to the preceding question is "none," then what is different about same-sex marriage?

In any case, I do not consider the Council Motion to be binding upon me until I receive a personal letter on BCOQ letterhead, signed by you and the BCOQ President, requiring me to adhere to the directive, and a letter is sent to the Chair of our Board of Deacons asking them to affirm the directive and instruct me on my behaviour; again, the letter must be signed by you and the President.

I await your reply.

Yours, in Christ,

(Rev.) Dr. Cameron Watts

cc.  Roger Harris, President, BCOQ
      Dale Beringer, Chair of Aylmer Baptist Deacons

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