Cultural shifts that brought victory to same-sex “marriage” proposals in the Nov. 6 elections did not stop Alabama Baptists from affirming their continued opposition to same-sex “marriage” during the 190th session of the Alabama Baptist State Convention held Nov. 13–14 in Montgomery.
In a unanimously adopted resolution messengers declared, “Southern Baptists have consistently affirmed our support of the biblical definition of marriage as the exclusive union of one man and one woman.”
And while the resolution leaves no doubt of state Baptists’ opposition to gay “marriage,” the resolution also calls on churches to deal compassionately with homosexuals. The resolution expresses “our love for those who struggle with same-sex attractions and who are engaged in the homosexual lifestyle.” It also condemns gay-bashing, disrespectful attitudes, hateful rhetoric and hate-incited actions toward gays.
At the same time messengers urged pastors to “preach the truth of God’s Word on human sexuality, marriage, purity and love with all boldness and without fear of reprisal” and encouraged churches to “proclaim that Christ offers forgiveness of sin for those who turn from their sins.”
Other resolutions declared support for the Alabama Pro-Life Coalition (APLC), supported the use of the “Sinner’s Prayer” in evangelism and urged churches to support human needs ministries.
The Alabama Baptist Christian Life Commission and Alabama Citizens Action Program are both members of APLC. The approved resolution announced APLC’s intention to introduce bills in the Alabama Legislature to raise standards of health care for women at abortion clinics and to protect employees of Alabama businesses who refuse to perform abortions or engage in human embryo research or cloning.
The resolution called for support of the Women’s Health and Safety Act (the health standards proposal) and thanked Gov. Robert Bentley for his “unwavering support for the right to life of the unborn.”
The “Sinner’s Prayer” resolution commended “the use of a ‘Sinner’s Prayer’ as a biblically sound and spiritually significant component of the evangelistic task of the church.” The resolution also stated there is no one uniform wording of a “Sinner’s Prayer” in the Bible and that a “Sinner’s Prayer” is not “an incantation that results in salvation merely by its recitation.”
Concerning ministry to human needs, messengers agreed “the work and ministry of Jesus involved both proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom and demonstrating the love of God.” The resolution also noted the long history of Alabama Baptists of response such as disaster relief, physical assistance and advocacy for the oppressed.
The resolution expressed support for Baptist ministries to human needs and urged churches and associations to “engage the needs of its community with a strong gospel witness in words, accompanied by a corresponding witness of deeds.”
Messengers also thanked Joe Bob Mizzell, who retired earlier this year after 21 years of service at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions as director of Christian ethics. Appreciation was also expressed to Vaughn Forest Baptist Church and others in the Montgomery area who worked to host the annual meeting.
Resolution No. 1
affirming pro-life legislation and supporting women’s health bill
Resolution No. 2
on same-sex ‘marriage,’ affirming marriage as one man, one woman
Resolution No. 3
affirming human needs ministry and community involvement by churches
Resolution No. 4
affirming the ‘Sinner’s Prayer’ as ‘sound’ and ‘significant’ to evangelism
Resolution No. 5
on appreciation to Joe Bob Mizzell for 21 years of service at State Board
Resolution No. 6
on appreciation for annual meeting host church, leaders and volunteers
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