ATLANTA — Members of the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC) called for governmental action to halt housing foreclosures and address climate change during their annual meeting that concluded Aug. 8 in Atlanta.
“PNBC … urges the U.S. government to take immediate action to stop housing foreclosures and to take actions in particular to protect the low-income and the African-American community which has (been) disproportionately affected by the crisis,” the historically black denomination stated in one of 24 resolutions passed overwhelmingly at its meeting.
The denomination also urged its churches to ask members to seek congressional and presidential action to support measures that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
T. DeWitt Smith, president of the denomination, said in an interview that members of PNBC churches have shown increased concern about climate change after attending a joint meeting with other Baptist groups last January. He said his denomination is taking new steps to help congregations understand what it means to “go green” by considering changes to church properties and teaching children “to appreciate the Lord’s good Earth.”
The 2.5 million-member denomination also voiced its support for the end of the Iraq war and the need to involve churches in reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
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