Racial unity ‘important’ resolution

Messengers to the annual meeting of the Alabama Baptist State Convention endorsed a call to use the 50th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott as a way to foster racial harmony. 
   
This resolution was one of eight approved by messengers during the Nov. 15–16 meeting at Whitesburg Baptist Church, Huntsville, in Madison Baptist Association.
   
Other resolutions brought before the convention dealt with appreciation for Adrian Rogers’ life and work, disaster relief work, appreciation for retiring Samford University President Thomas E. Corts and opposition to gambling.
   
Jay Wolf, pastor of First Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association and chairman of the resolutions committee, said the resolution on racial reconciliation was important. “I want Alabama Baptists to get the credit for being a leader in racial reconciliation,” he said.
   
“God calls us to be reconcilers,” said Wolf. “If we can get black and white churches working together, that will be massive.”
   
He noted that the world’s attention will be focused on Alabama with the anniversary of the bus boycott. This provides a stage for promoting unity and the progress made in race relations in Alabama, Wolf said.
   
He said that in the past, Alabama Baptists have sometimes taken the wrong side on the issue of race, following the culture instead of taking a stand for what is right.
   
The resolution passed with no discussion.
   
Messengers also approved a resolution expressing appreciation for the life and work of Adrian Rogers, recently retired pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tenn., and leader in the Southern Baptist Convention. He died at the age of 74 on  Nov. 15. 
   
The resolution on disaster relief recognized those who responded to the victims of the 2005 hurricane season.
   
The resolution thanked not only disaster relief workers but also Alabama Baptist churches and individuals for their donations of goods and finances, as well as their hands-on volunteer work.
   
It also expressed sympathy and support for those affected by the hurricanes.
   
An amendment to the disaster relief resolution was proposed by Rick Evans, pastor of Dalraida Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association.
   
Evans, who serves as a trustee of LifeWay Christian Resources, recommended thanking LifeWay for its donation to aid Alabama Baptist churches. The amendment was approved and the resolution passed.
   
Samford’s Corts was honored by messengers wanting to recognize his 23 years as university president. He will be retiring at the end of the 2005–2006 school year.
   
Citing Corts’ “exemplary leadership in his professional, personal and spiritual life, serving as a mentor, supporter and friend to the Samford community, the city of Birmingham, the state of Alabama and the higher education community,” the resolution noted that Corts’ leadership extends beyond Samford and his home church, Brookwood Baptist Church, Mountain Brook, in Birmingham Baptist Association. 
   
It expressed “deep appreciation” for Corts’ “outstanding service” to Samford and Alabama Baptists and  best wishes for him and his wife, Marla. It passed with no discussion.
   
The issue of gambling and efforts to expand and promote it within the state was addressed as messengers affirmed Alabama Baptists’ historic opposition to “gambling in any form.”
   
Noting the many attempts in the state legislature to find ways to legalize gambling or expand already legal forms of gambling, the resolution called on Alabama Baptists to ask the governor and their representatives and senators in the Alabama Legislature to oppose these attempts. 
   
It also encouraged Alabama Baptist pastors to inform their congregations about the social and moral problems related to gambling.
   
A copy of the resolution will be sent to Gov. Bob Riley, Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, House Speaker Seth Hammett, each member of the Legislature and all major news media in the state. It passed with no discussion.
   
The remaining resolutions also all passed with no discussion. These were:
   
• A resolution supporting the state’s Sanctity of Marriage Amendment in the 2006 June primary election.
   
• A resolution endorsing human organ donation.
   
• A resolution expressing appreciation to Whitesburg Baptist and all those who helped with the annual meeting program.
   
For the full text of the resolutions, visit www.thealabamabaptist.org.