By Bob Allen / Baptist News Global

This is an abbreviated version of the story. For the full story, click here.

Moderate and conservative Baptists set aside differences in an Oct. 15 letter opposing subpoenas ordering five Houston pastors to turn over sermons as evidence in a lawsuit seeking repeal of the city’s non-discrimination ordinance.

Top leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist General Convention of Texas and Southern Baptists of Texas Convention signed a letter to city officials terming the issuing of subpoenas of sermons as “improper and unwarranted” and asking Mayor Annise Parker to acknowledge it was a mistake and ensure that it does not happen again.

According to a press release, the coalition was organized by Russell Moore, head of the SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, working with Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

It marked a rare show of unity among diverse groups typically defined by their differences instead of common beliefs …

Four taxpayers opposed to the ordinance filed a lawsuit in Harris County District Court claiming it was the mayor who violated the charter and that the referendum petition is valid. As part of discovery, lawyers for the city obtained subpoenas requiring parties to turn over communications related to the anti-HERO campaign.

Subpoenas were also delivered to five pastors who are not a party to the litigation but were involved in the petition campaign. They were instructed to turn over “all speeches, presentations, or sermons related to HERO, the Petition, Mayor Annise Parker, homosexuality, or gender identity prepared by, delivered by, revised by, or approved by you or in your possession.” …

Click here to read the article on the Baptist News Global website.