2003 Resolutions

RESOLUTION NO. 1
ON BIVOCATIONAL MINISTERS

WHEREAS, bivocational pastors serve in 51% of our approximately 3200 Alabama Baptist churches; and

WHEREAS, bivocational ministers serving in other ministries of the church are in even greater numbers; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for more bivocational ministers in certain parts of the state; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for church planters who serve bivocationally.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Mobile, Alabama, November 18-19, 2003, express our thanksgiving for the ministry and dedication of our bivocational ministers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we encourage all of our pastors to preach specifically on “Calling Out the Called;” and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we encourage all churches to provide increased opportunities for lay involvement in ministry; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we encourage all of our churches to examine the need for church plants and new work and to pray for workers to serve in these capacities.

RESOLUTION NO. 2
ON GAMBLING

WHEREAS, continued efforts are made to legalize various forms of gambling in Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the founding fathers of the Great State of Alabama, in their wisdom, placed a constitutional ban on a state lottery and similar games of chance; and

WHEREAS, a state sponsored lottery and casino gambling are contrary to the purpose of state government which is to protect and serve its citizens (Romans 13:1-7), while gambling exploits the citizens; and

WHEREAS, all gambling is a regressive form of taxation which will negatively impact society, especially the lower socioeconomic segment of society, by appealing to those who can least afford to spend income on games of chance in which there is virtually no possibility of winning; and

WHEREAS, gambling produces an unstable source of revenue while funds spent on gambling would not be new money but would negatively impact businesses by redistribution of funds which would otherwise be spent in the private sector; and

WHEREAS, gambling increases all forms of crime, encourages corruption and adds a work load on law enforcement; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Alabama voted overwhelmingly against lottery gambling in 1999; and

WHEREAS, there is no popular grassroots movement in Alabama to legalize casino and lottery gambling but the efforts by some with a vested interest are putting pressure on public officials in state government proposing such a Constitutional amendment.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in Mobile, Alabama, November 18-19, 2003, reaffirm our historic position in opposition to any attempt to change Alabama’s constitutional ban on a state operated lottery or casino gambling; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we encourage the 3,217 churches of the Alabama Baptist State Convention with their 1.1 million members to vigorously and personally oppose any attempt to legalize a state operated lottery or casino gambling in Alabama; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all concerned citizens be encouraged to contact State Legislators urging the defeat of any and all legislative issues that would legalize any form of gambling; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Baptists join with concerned members of the faith community and social, civic, business and professional groups to acknowledge opposition to all forms of gambling; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to Governor Bob Riley, Lt. Governor Lucy Baxley, House Speaker Seth Hammett, to each member of the Alabama Legislature, and to The Alabama Baptist.

RESOLUTION NO. 3
ON THE FEDERAL MARRIAGE AMENDMENT

WHEREAS, on June 26, 2003, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of Lawrence v. Texas which decreed the right of homosexuals to have private consensual sex without fear of criminal prosecution; and

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court majority opinion stated “persons in a homosexual relationship may seek autonomy for [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][marriage, family relationships, and child rearing], just as heterosexual persons do”; and

WHEREAS, states are already beginning to legalize same-sex unions which, under The Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution, may require these laws be recognized in the sister states; and

WHEREAS, Christian denominations are addressing the issues of same-sex unions ordained by the church and the recognition of gay leadership in the church; and

WHEREAS, public opinion polls are being used by the media to show increasing favor of same-sex unions and gay rights, including use of such public opinion by the United States Supreme Court as a reason for granting homosexual rights in Lawrence v. Texas; and

WHEREAS, God has ordained marriage to be only between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6); and

WHEREAS, it is sin to be engaged in a homosexual relationship (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:24-27, and 1st Corinthians 6:9-10); and

WHEREAS, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted Resolution No.4 on Same-Sex Marriage, affirming biblical marriage at its 2003 annual meeting; and

WHEREAS, the state of Alabama passed a statute permitting marriage to be only between a man and a woman, viz., Section 30-1-19, 1975 Code of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, since Lawrence v. Texas establishes a homosexual right under the United States Constitution and statutes, such as those in the state of Alabama, may be changed by popular vote or are subject to constitutional interpretations by the United States Supreme Court, it is necessary that a constitutional amendment be passed to protect the sanctity of the institution of marriage.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Mobile, Alabama, November 18-19, 2003, affirm that legal and biblical marriage can only occur between one man and one woman; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the “Federal Marriage Amendment” to the United States Constitution, which states that marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon the United States Congress to pass and states and citizens of the United States to approve the “Federal Marriage Amendment”; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon church leadership of every denomination to use wisdom in the determination of marriage rights and selection of leadership to honor God’s law on the sanctity of marriage and the sin of homosexuality; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we denounce all mistreatment of any human being due to his or her sexual behavior, sinful or otherwise, affirming that each person is created in the image of God, is the object of Christ’s death, and is of precious value before God; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on Alabama Baptist ministers to commit to perform only those marriages as defined by the Bible and for churches to elect only those leaders who are in or who support Bible-based relationships; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we commit to pray for and provide assistance to those persons practicing homosexuality by sharing with them the forgiving and transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

RESOLUTION NO. 4
ON PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION BAN

WHEREAS, partial-birth abortion is a gruesome procedure that intentionally terminates the life of a mature baby that could live outside the mother’s womb; and

WHEREAS, partial-birth abortions take the lives of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 children in the United States each year; and

WHEREAS, the United States House of Representatives has passed a ban on partial-birth abortion by a vote of 282-139 and the Senate vote was 64-34; and

WHEREAS, the President has signed the bill into law.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Mobile, Alabama, November 18-19, 2003, express our thanksgiving and deep appreciation to the United States House and Senate for passing this bill; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express gratitude to Alabama’s entire congressional delegation (Senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, and United States House members Robert Aderholt, Spencer Bachus, Jo Bonner, Bud Cramer, Artur Davis, Terry Everett and Mike Rogers) in voting for passage of the partial-birth abortion ban; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we commend President George W. Bush for his signature on this bill and for his stand against abortion; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we pray for the families of those who have been affected by all acts of abortion, extending love and support, and sharing the power of Christ’s healing and forgiveness for those who seek it; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent to President Bush and the Alabama congressional delegation.

RESOLUTION NO. 5
ON THE LIBERATION OF IRAQ

WHEREAS, Scripture commands individual Christians to love our enemies, but it also commands civil authorities to restrain evil and to punish evildoers through the power of the sword (Romans 13:1-5); and

WHEREAS, Scripture calls on Christians to pray for those in authority that we might live peaceably in this world (I Timothy 2:1-2); and

WHEREAS, the Iraqi people suffered for decades under the oppressive and autocratic regime of Saddam Hussein; and

WHEREAS, the Iraqi regime was marked by repression, intimidation, mass murder, and extreme hostility to the most basic human rights of its people; and

WHEREAS, Saddam Hussein repeatedly ignored the demands of the international community to verify Iraqi compliance with United Nations resolutions against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and

WHEREAS, the United States military led an international coalition to free the Iraqi people from this cruel and unjust regime; and

WHEREAS, we believe that Operation Iraqi Freedom was a warranted action based upon the historic principles of “just war.”

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Mobile, Alabama, November 18-19, 2003, affirm President George W. Bush, the United States Congress, and our armed forces for their leadership in the successful execution of Operation Iraqi Freedom; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we commend the valiant and sacrificial service of the men and women of our armed forces serving in Iraq and around the world, including the many from our Alabama National Guard and Reserve, and the ministry of our Southern Baptist Chaplains; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on Alabama Baptists to pray for all those who have lost loved ones in this war; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on Alabama Baptists to pray for our troops and our diplomatic leaders as they aid in the rebuilding of the nation of Iraq; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we acknowledge our love for the Iraqi people and call on Alabama Baptists to pray for peace and justice in Iraq; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we call on the United States government and the international community to ensure that the Iraqi people enjoy all the blessings of liberty, including economic, political, and religious freedom.

RESOLUTION NO. 6
ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (As Amended)

WHEREAS, there are forces at work in this nation that, if left unhindered, would execute an agenda to systematically remove references to God from the public domain; and

WHEREAS, the moral precepts and very words from the Bible have constituted an integral part of the fabric of American legal history; and

WHEREAS, the United States Constitution recognizes the free exercise of religious expression; and

WHEREAS, Alabama Baptists have historically supported the right of free religious expression while resisting governmental establishment of religion; and

WHEREAS, the acknowledgement of God and the Bible has had a long and unbroken history on American public property as evidenced by displays of God’s name and biblical quotes on many public buildings, art work displayed in public buildings, schools and monuments; and

WHEREAS, while the Constitution of the United States provides that “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion,” it does not prohibit the recognition of Almighty God and His moral precepts expressed in the Ten Commandments which God has given us for our good and the right ordering of human society; and

WHEREAS, many of our civic leaders have demonstrated their support for the constitutional rights of Alabamians and Americans to acknowledge the moral foundation of our society as expressed in the Ten Commandments.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Mobile, Alabama, November 18-19, 2003, support the recognition of the biblical antecedents of our legal system and the public display of the Ten Commandments; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we call upon all elected officials to uphold righteousness, acknowledge the biblical foundations of government, and contend for the right of religious expression provided for the American people within the Constitution of the United States of America.

RESOLUTION NO. 6
ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

WHEREAS, there are forces at work in this nation that, if left unhindered, would execute an agenda to systematically remove references to God from the public domain; and

WHEREAS, the moral precepts and very words from the Bible have constituted an integral part of the fabric of American legal history; and

WHEREAS, the United States Constitution recognizes the free exercise of religious expression; and

WHEREAS, Alabama Baptists have historically supported the right of free religious expression while resisting governmental establishment of religion; and

WHEREAS, Judge Roy Moore and other leaders have demonstrated their support for the constitutional rights of Alabamians and Americans to acknowledge the moral foundation of our society as expressed in the Ten Commandments.

RESOLUTION NO. 7
ON APPRECIATION

WHEREAS, the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention have enjoyed a time of encouragement, worship, cooperation and challenge; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the Lord’s providence for all these blessings; and

WHEREAS, we express appreciation for the kind hospitality of the people of Mobile; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the work of our local Baptist churches, the Mobile Baptist Association, the committees and volunteers of the area for their diligent efforts, services and accommodations to make our stay a pleasant one; and

WHEREAS, we especially thank the Cottage Hill Baptist Church for the use of their building, service of every kind and their support; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the Lord worked through our President, Joe Godfrey, officers, various committees, Convention speakers, musicians, and other platform personnel to guide the affairs of this Convention with dignity and in a Christ-like spirit.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Mobile, Alabama, November 18-19, 2003, express our profound gratitude to the Lord and to all those whom He used to bring about a Convention characterized by grace, evangelism, worship, encouragement, unity, and purpose.