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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.

May 15, 2015 the annual Missions Symposium of the BMA of Missouri was held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Poplar, Bluff. Special guest, Bro. Scott Attebery and Bro. Todd West shared a new initiative called “Activate” which is a coach-driven tool to help churches stop the decline and to experience good health and growth.

These brethren challenged us to realize the importance of evaluating our churches and shared ways to do this and the positive results it is having on those churches who are willing to apply the available tools.

Several of those present seemed to be eager to start the process and talked of plans for initiating this in some of their churches. Saturday, May 16, 2015, the messenger of our churches gathered to hold the mid-year business meeting of our association.

Newly elected moderator Bro. Brian Meade was well prepared with plans for congregational singing, a devotional, a message, and a well planned order of business. Bro. Russell Chitwood led the singing accompanied by Sis. Judy Fish at the piano. Host pastor, Bro. Matt Johnson brought a timely devotional based on Ephesians 3:20-21.

The messengers voted to amend our doctrinal statement to explain our belief on Creation (see “C”and “D” in Editor’s Note on page 3 under “Resolutions.) This change took place immediately for our State Association Doctrinal Statement.

Bro. Don Burke was re-elected as our clerk with Bro. Dale Fish as assistant clerk. In the clerk’s report, Bro. Burke noted that thanks to the work of Ashley Acres we can now go to
the BMA of Missouri web site and fid copies of most of the Minutes since our association began. A motion was made and passed that we give Sis. Ashley a love offering of $250 for her help in making these available online. To look up Minutes of the BMA of Missouri go to bmamissouri.org and click on “about us” then click on “Minutes” and select the year you need. Bro. Burke said he still needed copies of the Minutes for 1982, 1949, 1947 and all prior to 1946. If you have any
of these please contact him about borrowing them so they can be included in the online archives of our association. Contact him at potosipastor@gmail.com.

Editor James Hoffmann gave the report on the Missouri Missionary Baptist Paper noting that we fiished the first 6 months of this associational year with a balance in the bank of $596.53 but since the end of March the offerings have dropped and we are near a negative balance for operating funds. He asked that we prayerfully consider increasing regular support for this ministry. He also pointed out that it looks as though postage is going to increase dramatically after the fist of June this year.

Bro. Hoffmann also gave the Kenneth Gibson Seminary Student Grant Fund report noting that we helped Bro. Jamie Jones with books and tuition during the last 6 months and that another pastor is enrolling in an off campus program and we will be helping him within the next two weeks. There is a balance of $20,903.70 in this account.

The Missouri Missionary Baptist Loan Association report was given. Treasurer David Griggs reported that the balance in this fund is $ 353.818.77 which includes a balance on the
loan to Cornerstone Baptist Church, in Raymore of $33,100 and a total in the Grant Fund of $4,582.25. President Dennis Baker noted that this “Grant Fund” is money that is available
for grants to BMA of Missouri churches that have immediate fiancial needs. Please contact Bro. Baker if you need more information about this.

Bro. Dennis Baker, President of the State Brotherhood reported on the Men’s Spring Retreat and encourage our men and boys to watch for details on the Fall Retreat later this year.
We will run the announcement in this publication as soon as plans are finalized.

Sis. Janet Widger gave the State WMA report and commended those who helped with the gift bags and other things for hosting the National WMA in Springfild in April.

Bro. Don Burke gave a report from the Alive Committee which revealed the following:
1. That the same offiers be retained as last year. (Chairman – Jim Ainley; Assistant Chairman – Brad Banderman; Clerk/Treasurer – Don Burke.
2. Approval of the details for the 2015 Alive Conference:
• Date December 29-31.
• Location – Doubletree, Chesterfild
• Main Speaker – Michael Trent
• Worship Band – Jim Ainley Band
• Increase cost of Conference to $50 per person
3. Recommend that Dan Wisely be reelected to Committee/term ending in 2019.
4. Recommend that Caleb Houston (Kewanee) replace Brad Banderman (term ending 2018), with Brad to be picked up as a committeeman by the Meramec Association.
This report was approved and the recommendations were accepted.

The Special Missions Committee made the following recommendation to the Missionary Committee and
they were approved and accepted by the messengers present:
1. That we regrettably accept the resignation of Bro. Danny Kirk effective at the end of May 31, 2015.
2. That Bro. James Hoffmann, Assistant Director of Missions will assume the responsibilities as outlined in the Missions Policy Handbook as we search for a new Director.
3. That Bro. Kirk be allowed to keep the laptop computer that was purchased last year with Associational funds.
4. That we give Bro. Kirk a severance package of $100 per year for his 15 years of service.
5. That the Mission Symposium offering be designated to Camp Garwood for the new roof on the Tabernacle.

A motion was made to give Mt. Zion Baptist Church and her pastor a standing vote of appreciation for their great hospitality in hosting these meetings.

Following the adjournment of the business session Bro. Sean Kallner, Pastor of Springhill Baptist Church, Fairdealing, brought a very inspiring message entitled: Turning Things Rightside Up” based on Acts 17:1-7. He pointed out that the three things necessary to have the right affect on those around us are:
1. Integrity
2. Intensity
3. Involvement.

Our Annual Meeting will be held at Charity Baptist Church in Bismarck, Missouri, Saturday, October 24, 2015, starting at 9:00 a.m.

All churches of the BMA of MO are encouraged to be represented by letter and messengers at this meeting.

Mid-Year Report
May 16, 2015
Mt. Zion Baptist
Church, Poplar Bluff, MO

This will be my fial report before the BMA of Missouri as your state missions director. I have enjoyed the past 15 years serving you in this capacity. I have learned much about the state work, its pastors and lay leaders, and the churches that comprise this great association. I am
wiser and my soul has been tempered having served with you. So, it was with sadness that I announced my resignation, effective May 31, 2015 to the Advisory Committee when we met last month at Perryville. God has given my wife and I a great opportunity to serve in an exciting new
church plant in Northwest Arkansas. Although our ministry roots have been in Missouri for over 17 years, we feel that this move is God’s will for us, and we look forward to this next phase of
our life and ministry. Thank you for your kindness, support, and generosity over the years.
I am thankful to Bro. Todd West and Dr. Scott Attebery for their investment in our churches during the mission symposium. For those churches who gave a special offering to Camp Garwood,
I say “Thank You”. At the symposium an offering of nearly $750 was received for the replacement of the roof on the tabernacle. In addition to the offering, the association voted to cover the remaining balance for this project from the missions funds.

Bro. Hoffmann has agreed to continue to serve the association as assistant director
of missions and all checks can continue to be sent to the mail box address in Florissant, MO.

by Bro. Danny Kirk