Even if biblical marriage is not upheld by culture and government, it must be upheld by the Church.”
Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), has made this statement a few times recently.
During the March 17 meeting of the Alabama Baptist Christian Life Committee in Montgomery, Lance shared how SBOM is attempting to assist churches during this “new day” in Alabama.
“We’ve chosen not to be reactive but to be responsive to these events,” he said of the same-sex “marriage” court decisions in Alabama.
“We’re trying to stay on point and assist our churches.”
Some associations and churches have voted to adopt the “Resolution on Reaffirmation of Biblical Marriage” first adopted by SBOM on Feb. 6 and commended to churches. The resolution affirms traditional marriage and pledges prayer for elected officials.
SBOM also has written suggested policies concerning the use of church property and restrictions on church leaders officiating in same-sex “marriages.” These policy statements are available at www.alsbom.org.
And beginning April 28 — the day the U.S. Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments on same-sex “marriage” — SBOM is calling for “40 days of prayer for moral and spiritual awakening focusing on biblical marriage.” The prayer emphasis will conclude June 10.
“We think we should have a decision from the court by June,” Lance said.
‘Celebration of biblical marriage’
Additionally, SBOM is asking churches to consider a “celebration of biblical marriage” in the weeks between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
“We need to speak about the Lord’s intention for marriage and how healthy it is to live out His principles,” Lance said.
In other matters, Jim Swedenburg, director of the SBOM office of Cooperative Program and stewardship development, reported on world hunger needs.
“In the 2013–2014 church year Southern Baptists gave $5,823,000, and Alabama Baptists gave $711,047.”
Swedenburg pointed out that Alabama Baptist contributions amounted to about 12 percent of total Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) gifts and represent a larger contribution than any other state convention.
Twenty-five percent of hunger funds given in Alabama remain in the state, he said.
Swedenburg also noted many people still refer to the SBC hunger emphasis in October as World Hunger Sunday even though the initiative is now known as Global Hunger Relief (GHR), formerly the World Hunger Fund.
However, the special Sunday emphasis — held the third Sunday in October — could soon be called Global Hunger Sunday, according to SBC news reports.
The recommendation, put forth by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and approved by the SBC Executive Committee (EC) in February, will be presented at the SBC annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio, for messenger approval.
Jill Waggoner, lead brand strategist for GHR, said, “The launch of Global Hunger Relief and the change to Global Hunger Sunday help us better tell the story of the global hunger crisis as well as the myriad of ways Southern Baptists are providing solutions.”
GHR-funded projects combat hunger in North America and around the world in a variety of ways, from participating in disaster relief to resourcing food kitchens to eliminating urban food deserts to creating sustainable solutions for the chronically hungry.
GHR is a partnership of the International Mission Board, North American Mission Board, ERLC, LifeWay Christian Resources, national Woman’s Missionary Union, Baptist Global Response and EC.
Keith Hinson, associate in SBOM’s office of communications and technology services, updated the committee on the status of “The Christian Life Report.”
The printed newsletter was sent to church leaders quarterly in the past, but Hinson said he’s still considering the best way to disseminate information on moral concerns.
“We have 200 followers on Twitter (@ethicalcl) and more than 600 likes on Facebook (Ethical Christian Life),” he said.
(ERLC contributed)
To sign up to participate in the 40 days of prayer and receive resources for the effort, visit www.alsbom.org or call 1-800-264-1225.
Share with others: