On the last day of their annual meeting, the Southern Baptists condemned a recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay Scouts to participate. However, the language in the resolution was milder than some expected, refusing calls for a boycott and calling on churches that continue to partner with the scouts to “seek to impact as many boys as possible with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“This isn’t Disney redux, as some media predicted,” tweeted Russell Moore, the new head of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, referring to the Southern Baptists 1997 boycott on the Walt Disney Co. for what they considered pro-gay policies. (The boycott was lifted in 2005.) Moore said the move was “wise, balanced, and gospel-focused.”

Not everyone in the convention agreed, but many Baptist pastors and attendees appreciated the nuanced approach.

“I think this resolution was a resolution of kindness, to say the churches that choose to continue with the scouting ministry should do so with an emphasis on sharing the gospel,” said David Dykes, a pastor from Tyler, Texas. “As a pastor I appreciate that the convention does not tell churches what we should do.” (RNS, Washington Post)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife, Wendy, and two children. Follow him on Twitter.