The following resolutions were presented by “Moral Action” in their annual report to the churches of the BMA of America and adopted by the messengers at the recent meeting in Springfield, Missouri.
Resolution #1
Reaffirmation of God’s Plan for Marriage: One man and one woman
Whereas, there is an ongoing battle by Satanic forces to dissolve the institution of holy marriage; and Whereas, the media, the liberal press, social progressives and the liberal churches seek to diminish the importance of true marriage; and Whereas, Christians affirm God’s plan for marriage and sexual intimacy as one man and one woman legally married for life; and Whereas, any other relationship that involves sexual intimacy is considered outside the bounds of God’s law; Be it therefore resolved, that we promote Godly marriage and urge the churches and messengers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, to recognize the importance of the institution of marriage.
Resolution #2
Reaffirmation on Abortion and the Sacredness of Human Life
Whereas, the sacredness of human life is of great concern to our Baptist people; and Whereas, abortion as a means of birth control violates the sacredness of human life; and Whereas, more recently the procedures of partial birth abortion and the development of new drugs that will induce spontaneous abortions compound the tragedy of abortion as a means of birth control; and Whereas, these procedures raise new moral and ethical issues about the sacredness of human life; Therefore, Be it Resolved, that we strongly urge the Baptist Missionary Association messengers, meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, to continue to publicly oppose any type of abortion as a means of birth control.
Resolution #3
Whereas, Associational Baptists have not always clearly stood for racial justice and equality, and, Whereas, the growth of ethnic populations in the United States and the assimilations into Baptist congregations is therefore a good indicator of diversity and, Whereas, the Word of God affirms that all people are created in the image of God and are equal; and, Whereas, all peoples need Jesus Christ as a savior, Therefore, Be It Resolved, that we strongly urge the Baptist Missionary Association of American messengers meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, affirm our desire to stand for racial equality.
Resolution #4
Sexual Abuse of Children
Whereas, God’s word is clear in its affirmation that children are a gift from the Lord (Psalms 127:3-5) and, Whereas, Jesus clearly showed his love for children; and Whereas, the sexual abuse of children remains a criminal offense with more than 18 million victims last year in America alone, and Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the messengers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America, meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, call upon all our churches and pastors to stand in the protection and love of children; and Be it resolved, to report and seek legal prosecution of child abusers.
Resolution #5
Executive Administration Declaration
Whereas, God’s word states that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, and Be It Resolved, that we strongly protest and disagree with the proclamation by the President of the United States that the
month of June be declared Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, and transgender (LBGT) pride month, and Be It Resolved, that the messengers of the Baptist Missionary Association of America meeting in Springfield, Missouri, April, 2015, pray for the executive leadership of our nation.
Editor’s Note:
These “Resolutions” are offered as recommendations or suggestions that our churches should consider as they live spiritual and moral lives and are not binding upon our fellowship in any way. From some of the correspondence I have received Resolution #1 is being confused by some who think it is the addition to our doctrinal statement that we will vote on at next year’s BMA annual meeting in April 2016.
The following is the recommended addition to our doctrinal statement:
“Article III – Creation C. Man — As the crowning work of His creation, God created humankind (male and female) in His own image (Psa. 8; Gen. 1:27; 2:7). Consequently, every person from conception is of inherent dignity and worth and merits the respect of all other persons (Psa. 51:5; Psa. 139:13-16; Gen. 9:6; Matt. 10:28-31; James 3:9). D. Marriage — God created marriage (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:23-24). Jesus Christ declared the creator’s intention for marriage to be the inseparable and exclusive union between a man and a woman (natural man and natural woman) (Matt.19:4-6; Mark 10:6-9). Marriage testifies of the union between Christ and the church (Eph. 5:31-32; Rom. 1:25-27).
These amendments were presented by Springhill Baptist Church at Greenbrier, AR; Ed Stephenson, pastor. These additions to our Doctrinal Statement were presented and discussed at this year’s meeting in Springfield, MO and the messengers present at the 2016 annual meeting will vote (without further discussion) to accept them or reject them. If adopted they will be binding upon our fellowship just like the doctrinal statement we now have. Each church can record in their Minutes a motion to adopt these changes (for their own protection) once they are approved by the Association or make these changes to their doctrinal statement now.
