2004 Resolutions

RESOLUTION NO. 1
ON MILITARY CHAPLAINS IN COMBAT

WHEREAS, personnel from Alabama Baptist churches serve this nation and defend its freedoms with courage and honor in active duty and reserve components of the United States Military Forces; and

WHEREAS, several Alabama Baptists are serving with honor as military chaplains in combat areas, providing spiritual counsel and biblical ministry to military personnel serving in harm’s way; and

WHEREAS, these chaplains are serving and enduring many personal hardships including family separation and hostile fire; and

WHEREAS, we support all Alabama Baptists and others that are serving and have served in our nation’s military forces.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, November 16-17, 2004, affirm our military chaplains from Alabama now serving in combat areas; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we commend the valiant and sacrificial service and ministry of our chaplains; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call on all Alabama Baptists to pray for our military chaplains, military personnel and their families, as well as those families who have lost loved ones in military service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we prayerfully encourage our chaplains to continue to be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10); and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we sincerely commend their preaching and teaching “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27) and fully support their service and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

RESOLUTION NO. 2
ON MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENTS

WHEREAS, it is the teaching of the churches of the Alabama Baptist State Convention that God has ordained marriage to be only between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6); and it is sin to engage in a homosexual relationship (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:24-27, and I Corinthians 6:9-10); and

WHEREAS, the biblical institution of marriage is under attack in America through legislative, judicial, and cultural efforts to legalize and make acceptable relationships contrary to God’s law, and these efforts are continuing and intensifying; and

WHEREAS, a “Federal Marriage Amendment” to the United States Constitution is necessary to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman in all states and territories; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Baptist State Convention, in Mobile, Alabama on November 18-19, 2003, Resolution Number 3, affirmed biblical marriage and resolved to support a “Federal Marriage Amendment”; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Baptist Convention, in Indianapolis, Indiana, in June 15-16, 2004, Resolution Number 1, affirmed biblical marriage and resolved to support a “Federal Marriage Amendment”; and

WHEREAS, Article 4, Section 1 of the United States Constitution, requiring all states to give full faith and credit to the laws of the various states, may require same-sex marriage and civil unions sanctioned in other states to be recognized in the state of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the state of Alabama passed a statute defining marriage as being between one man and one woman; and, to strengthen further the laws of the state of Alabama, a “Marriage Protection Amendment” to the Alabama Constitution has been proposed that reaffirms this definition of marriage and also prohibits same-sex marriage and civil unions; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, November 16-17, 2004, affirm that biblical and legal marriage is between one man and one woman; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we support the teaching of Alabama Baptist Churches that marriage between one man and one woman is the only marriage ordained of God; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we support a “Federal Marriage Amendment” to the United States Constitution requiring that marriage in the United States consist only of the union of one man and one woman and that civil unions between members of the same sex not be recognized; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we call upon the United States Congress and the Alabama Legislature to pass these marriage amendments; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, we pray for those in authority and urge our citizens to support and vote in favor of these constitutional amendments.

RESOLUTION NO. 3
ON DISASTER RELIEF

WHEREAS, Hurricane Ivan hit Alabama on September 16, 2004; and

WHEREAS, the devastation to our beloved state was overwhelming in the destruction of churches, homes, apartments, businesses and other buildings; and

WHEREAS, many residents of the southern part of our state were left in dire circumstances from the destruction; and

WHEREAS, many areas had no electricity, food or shelter; and

WHEREAS, Alabama Baptists along with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency responded passionately to the requests for help; and

WHEREAS, Alabama Baptist disaster relief quickly responded to needs by sending teams to numerous locations throughout South Alabama; and

WHEREAS, The Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief teams, along with other organizations, responded by serving 559,000 meals prepared by Alabama Baptist feeding units, completed 1,750 jobs (chainsaw work, debris cleanup and mud-outs), and provided shower units for 6,800 showers; and

WHEREAS, more than 1,200 volunteers from 15 different states responded to the call for help; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union cared for 80 children in temporary child care units; and

WHEREAS, 30 chaplains were deployed to make assessment, counsel individuals and share the gospel; and

WHEREAS, many people came to Christ as a result of the witness of all the workers.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, November 16-17, 2004, express our deep appreciation to all those involved in the disaster relief work; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express appreciation for all the Alabama Baptist directors of missions along with their associations for assistance in providing disaster relief equipment, mobilizing volunteers and providing information on critical needs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we appreciate and affirm those many Alabama Baptist churches who ministered in various ways, including: opening their facilities as storm shelters and providing spiritual and physical assistance to storm victims; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we deeply express our thanks to all the men and women from churches across the Alabama Baptist State Convention and Southern Baptist Convention who ministered in hurricane-affected areas in any capacity during the storm’s aftermath; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we thank Southern Baptist leaders — especially those with the North American Mission Board — for their service and ministry during and after Hurricane Ivan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express appreciation to Shocco Springs Conference Center for serving as an official evacuation site and shelter in partnership with the American Red Cross; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we thank the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their involvement in disaster relief efforts in our state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we thank Alabama Baptists churches and members for their generous contributions to the Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Fund; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we thank State Missionary Tommy Puckett, director of Men’s Ministries, for the tremendous job he did in overseeing the disaster relief for our state; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we commit ourselves to continue to help and pray for those affected by Hurricane Ivan.

RESOLUTION NO. 4
ON PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

WHEREAS, the church has a long history of supporting education; and

WHEREAS, many of the great universities of America were started by the churches and denominations; and

WHEREAS, a quality education can enhance the ministry of the church and an understanding of the Bible as it is applied to life; and

WHEREAS, education offers the potential for the improvement of lifestyle and the enhancement of the productivity of the people; and

WHEREAS, for each of the past five years, the Executive Committee has approved a partnership between the State Board of Missions staff and the William R. Harrison Elementary School in Montgomery; and

WHEREAS, the partnership has included special events and other efforts for the school designed to foster academic enrichment, teacher appreciation and an awareness of intercessory prayer on the school’s behalf by the State Board of Missions staff.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, November 16-17, 2004, affirm our support of education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we affirm those local churches, associations and individual believers who share the love of Christ by choosing to partner with schools regularly or periodically; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we affirm a variety of ways of helping schools included, but not limited to, prayer walks, adopting schools, tutoring programs and any other types of ministries that benefit our schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we encourage our churches and families to be involved in the education of all children; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that we offer our prayers for everyone involved in education.

RESOLUTION NO. 5
ON APPRECIATION

WHEREAS, the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention have enjoyed a time of encouragement, worship, unity, and the Spirit’s direction; and

WHEREAS, the emphasis for this Convention has been on Intentional Evangelism, encouraging the messengers and churches to use every means possible to win people to Jesus; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the hard work by the Montgomery Association and her churches to make this a successful Convention; and

WHEREAS, we especially thank the Eastmont Baptist Church for graciously providing its facilities and giving outstanding assistance and service for this Convention; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge the Lord working through our president, officers, State Board of Missions staff, committees, speakers, musicians and other platform personalities in guiding us during this Convention.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the messengers meeting in Montgomery, Alabama, on November 16-17, 2004, express our profound gratitude to the Lord and to those whom He used to bring about a Convention characterized by grace and evangelism.

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