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AUSTIN—As post-election protestors filled the streets in some U.S. cities, messengers of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention overwhelmingly approved resolutions dedicated to the reconciliation of believers to one another and to their communities. Among the issues addressed—race, civil discourse, religious liberty and orphan care—the resolutions exhorted churches to be peace and light in troubled times.
More than 800 messengers approved seven resolutions, Nov. 15, during the SBTC Annual Meeting hosted by Great Hills Baptist Church in Austin. Each measure passed overwhelmingly without discussion.
Prompted by a tumultuous year of racial discord and topping the list of seven resolutions, messengers approved a resolution “On Racial Reconciliation.” In doing so the messengers agreed to “rededicate ourselves to the responsibility and privilege of loving and discipling people of all races and ethnicities in our communities.”
The resolution called on SBTC churches and all Texas Southern Baptist entities and convention committees to intentionally seek ethnic and racial diversity in hiring and appointing leadership positions. Individual believers must work for racial “reconciliation in their personal relationships and local communities as they demonstrate the power of the gospel to unite all persons in Christ.”
Faithful commitment to the first resolution can go a long way in healing the church and nation divided by a long and “acrimonious” election.
In the second resolution “On Prayer for Government Leaders and Civil Discourse,” Christians were urged to prayerfully submit to God and his word and to “honor, and obey, all elected and appointed officials.”
The resolution recognized that people of faith landed across the political spectrum but called on Christians to give evidence to their fidelity to the gospel in speech seasoned with “salt” and graciousness.
Two resolutions—“On Meeting the Needs of Those in Our Communities with Disabilities” and “On Supporting and Advocating for Orphan Care in the Church”—served to remind the churches of their role in caring for the needs of those who cannot care for themselves.
The greatest need for thousands of Texas children is a place to call home and a family to call their own. After drawing attention to the 153 million orphans worldwide, the resolution on orphan care revealed 30,000 Texas children are in the foster care system. Some of those children will be reconciled to their parents, but others can never return and are available for adoption. All of them need Christian families to open their homes in the interim.
The resolution encouraged families to consider offering their homes and lives to these children. It also called on churches to prayerfully and materially support those who make that commitment and for pastors to keep the issue before their congregations.
Most of the resolutions were grounded in the truth of a common dignity afforded all humanity as image bearers of God. Caring for the disabled and their caregivers promotes the pro-life message and gives relief to those who might not find it in insurance coverage, public assistance or their own families.
The resolution on caring for the disabled noted the benefits of Christian fellowship for the disabled and their caregivers and called on “churches to love and minister to this population by developing methods and resources to disciple, fellowship with, and assist them.”
Whether ministering to the marginalized in the community or within their own congregations, Texas Southern Baptists are to have a “distinctive and clear witness in our culture.” The resolution “On Prayer and Evangelism Emphasis” served to remind the church of its need to humbly obey and submit to the Lordship of Christ, including his call to make disciples of all nations.
The resolution stated, “We exhort all Texas Southern Baptist churches to make a visible, concentrated effort to raise the awareness of evangelism and equip their members to effectively share the full gospel.”
But speaking the gospel into the public square is becoming increasingly difficult. Local laws and social pressures cause Christians to self-regulate their speech. The resolution “On Religious Liberty” recognized that “authentic Christianity produces a culture that is often at odds with the culture at large.” Because religious liberty is a “basic and essential human right,” the convention resolved to hold elected officials accountable to ensuring that basic right.
The resolution also admonished the United States government to vigorously advocate for the religious liberty of all people in America and abroad.
In its final resolution the committee thanked Great Hills Baptist Church for its hospitality and accommodations by serving has host for the 2016 SBTC Annual Meeting. The committee resolved to “hereby express our profound gratitude to the Lord and to all those He used to bring about a meeting characterized by evangelism, worship, and encouragement.”
Read full text of the seven resolutions here.
