Alabama Baptists pass resolutions on ‘life,’ marriage, disaster relief

By Neisha Fusion
The Alabama Baptist

Messengers unanimously approved seven resolutions during the Alabama Baptist State Convention (ABSC) annual meeting Nov. 15–16 at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, Mobile.

The resolutions dealt with topics such as the sanctity of life, marriage and the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible.

The only resolution to garner action from the floor was On Protecting the Sanctity of Life in Alabama, which commends the 2011 Alabama Legislature for “protecting the unborn child by passing the Alabama Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.”

John Killian, first vice president of the ABSC and pastor of Maytown Baptist Church, proposed adding “and the governor” to the commendation since the governor supported the bill and signed it into law.
Both the amendment and the resolution passed.

The other resolutions were:

• On Defense of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) — A resolution requesting that the Alabama congressional delegation “actively oppose any repeal or modification of DOMA, which would remove the protection that only marriages between a man and a woman shall be permitted in the United States and that no other form of marriage or union replicating marriage will be permitted between persons of the same sex.”
• On the 400th Anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible — A resolution preserving “the memory and the unique benefits of the King James Version,” commending these benefits to succeeding generations and requesting that Alabama Baptists “use these translations of God-breathed Scripture in God-honoring ministry.”
• On Disaster Relief — A resolution expressing appreciation to “those involved in helping minister to persons affected by the tornadoes” and “special appreciation to Mel Johnson, associate in the (Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions’) office of global missions, for his coordination of the disaster relief efforts.”
• On Religious Liberty in a Global Society — A resolution restating Alabama Baptists’ “long-standing view that religious liberty is an inalienable human right” and affirming that this “freedom entails the civil liberty to convert to another religion or to no religion.”
• On Appreciation for Paul Miller — A resolution expressing “gratitude to God for Paul Miller,” retiring president of the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH), and calling on Alabama Baptists to pray for Miller and the continued ministry of the ABCH.
• On Appreciation — A resolution expressing Alabama Baptists’ “profound gratitude to the Lord and to those whom He used to bring about a convention characterized by God’s blessings.”

While no resolutions were received on the topic of immigration, resolutions chairman Rob Jackson, pastor of Central Baptist Church, Decatur, said, “It is still our responsibility to share Jesus Christ with everyone whether the person is in Alabama legally or [not]. It is our responsibility to share the love of Jesus Christ with them.”