RESOLUTION #1
ON THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE COOPERATIVE PROGRAM
WHEREAS, In 2025, Southern Baptists will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Cooperative Program; and
WHEREAS, Upon the establishment of the Cooperative Program, M.E. Dodd, Chairman of the Commission on the Future Program, exhorted Southern Baptists toward “a unity of purpose and consecration never known before;” and
WHEREAS, The Bylaws of the Alabama Baptist State Convention encourage all churches in giving through the Cooperative Program, calling it a “lifeline for sharing Christ with the world through preaching, teaching, training, and healing;” and
WHEREAS, The Biblical doctrine of cooperation compels us to work together and thereby bring about a greater reward for our efforts (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12); and
WHEREAS, Since 1925, the Cooperative Program has provided a comprehensive funding mechanism for like-minded autonomous Baptist churches to support missions in all the world, all the time, at the same time (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8); and
WHEREAS, During these past 100 years, Alabama Baptists have contributed more than $1.6 billion through the Cooperative Program to support a vast variety of missions and ministries sharing the Gospel across Alabama, North America, and around the world; and
WHEREAS, We rejoice that Alabama Baptists’ generosity in giving through the Cooperative Program provides the strong financial foundation that undergirds Great Commission ministries in SBC and State Convention life; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in Daphne, Alabama, on November 12-13, 2024, continue to affirm the Cooperative Program as our primary method of funding our Great Commission cooperation at home and abroad; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we ascribe thanksgiving and glory to God for blessing the partnership in the Gospel we have known through Cooperative Program giving for 100 years (Philippians 1:3-5); and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we are grateful for the churches that give faithfully and sacrificially through the Cooperative Program and for all who promote and support the Cooperative Program in our Alabama Baptist family.
RESOLUTION #2
ON GENDER IDENTITY AND TITLE IX
WHEREAS, All persons are created in God’s image and are made to glorify Him (Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 43:7); and
WHEREAS, God’s design was the creation of two distinct and complementary sexes, male and female (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 19:4; Mark 10:6), which designates the fundamental distinction that God has embedded in the very biology of the human race; and
WHEREAS, The original intent of Title IX was to ensure equal educational and athletic opportunities for all students regardless of their sex and to protect the rights of girls and women; and
WHEREAS, Biological men, as so-called “trans women,” are increasingly being allowed to play in women’s sports; and
WHEREAS, Some public schools are allowing access to restrooms and locker rooms according to children’s self-perception and not according to their biological sex; and
WHEREAS, Some in authority would seek to punish those who refer to children and others except by their “preferred pronouns” or something other than their birth names often without regard to their own DNA; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in Daphne, Alabama, on November 12-13, 2024, affirm God’s design that gender identity is determined by biological sex, irrevocably embedded in one’s DNA, from conception to the present, and not by one’s self-perception, which is often influenced by fallen human nature in ways contrary to God’s design (Ephesians 4:17–18); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we denounce the risk and unfairness to the privacy of restrooms and locker rooms being breached by persons whose DNA does not match the sex indicated on the facility entrance; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we oppose rewriting, reinterpreting, or altering Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, whether done by the Department of Education or by executive orders of the President; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we extend love and compassion to individuals experiencing a distressing conflict between their biological sex and their self-perception; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we invite all persons to trust in Christ, experience transformation in the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:15–16), welcome them to our churches and – as they repent and believe in Christ – receive them into church membership (2 Corinthians 5:18–20; Galatians 5:14); and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we continue to commend all efforts by any governing official or body to stand for Biblical understanding of gender identity.
RESOLUTION #3
ON AFFIRMATION OF ALABAMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF
WHEREAS, Our country has recently experienced remarkable natural disasters in Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which have devastated large regions and local communities in an unprecedented manner; and
WHEREAS, Alabama Baptists have themselves experienced natural disasters and benefited from the efforts of national SBC Disaster Relief efforts; and
WHEREAS, Alabama Baptists have trained and prepared volunteers to respond to national emergencies through what we call the Yellow Shirt Army; and
WHEREAS, Alabama Baptists consistently mobilize to provide immediate assistance in the aftermath of natural catastrophes; and
WHEREAS, Our Lord compels us to seek the welfare of our world (Jeremiah 29:7), to give generously of our own resources to come to the material aid of those who are in need (Luke 10:25-37), and to not neglect the physical needs of our world as we preach the Gospel (James 2:14-17); and
WHEREAS, Messengers to the 2011 and 2017 Annual Meetings of our State Convention have strongly affirmed the work of Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief; and
WHEREAS, One hundred percent of contributions given to Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief go to help people affected by disasters – the Cooperative Program having already provided all necessary support, including salaries and other resources – to deploy volunteers and other assets as needs arise; and
WHEREAS, Alabama Baptists support Disaster Relief as one of the five strategic missional priorities of the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in Daphne, Alabama, on November 12-13, 2024, affirm the work of Alabama Baptists in training for and participating in disaster relief; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we continue to affirm the training of, promotion to, and recruitment of Alabama Baptists for disaster relief efforts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we celebrate the work of Alabama Baptists in disaster relief to bring about the well-being of those in crisis; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we celebrate the effort of Alabama Baptist volunteers who focus on the tasks of prayer, counseling, and soul-winning; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage and thank those still serving in the affected areas who are working tirelessly to help bring assistance to those in need; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we encourage Alabama Baptists to continue to support and participate in the ministry of Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief.
RESOLUTION #4
ON APPRECIATION FOR THE SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA
WHEREAS, on February 16, 2024, the Supreme Court of Alabama ruled, on the basis of the Alabama State Abortion Policy Amendment, passed in a referendum by Alabama voters on November 6, 2018, and
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of Alabama ruled that “human life begins at conception,” now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in Daphne, Alabama, on November 12-13, 2024, declare our appreciation and offer commendation to the Supreme Court of Alabama for standing for the sacredness and protection of human life.
RESOLUTION #5
ON APPRECIATION
WHEREAS, The messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention have enjoyed times of encouragement, worship, fellowship, and sharing about Great Commission ministries; and
WHEREAS, We acknowledge the Lord’s provision of all these blessings and countless others; and
WHEREAS, We express appreciation for the excellent hospitality of the people of Daphne; and
WHEREAS, We acknowledge our debt of gratitude to the churches, leaders, and volunteers of the Baldwin Baptist Association for their kindness, services, and accommodations that have made our stay a pleasant one; and
WHEREAS, We especially thank the Eastern Shore Baptist Church for their gracious hosting and welcome into their building with service, ministry of hospitality, and support; and
WHEREAS, We acknowledge the Lord worked through our President, Dr. Craig Carlisle, other officers, various committees, convention speakers, musicians, and other platform personnel to guide the affairs of this convention with Kingdom stewardship and a Christlike spirit; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention meeting in Daphne, Alabama, November 12-13, 2024, express our gratitude to the Lord and to all those who served Him during a convention characterized by passion and concern for worship, evangelism, missions, and prayer.
