Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 6 - ON PASTORS, CULTURE, AND CIVIC DUTY (with amendment)

This resolution was passed by the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. June 12-13, 2007. You can view and search past resolutions from the Southern Baptist Convention at the Annual Meeting Website.

Southern Baptist Convention 2007 Annual Meeting - Resolution No. 6 - ON PASTORS, CULTURE, AND CIVIC DUTY (with amendment)

WHEREAS, Scripture directs Christ’s followers, including spiritual leaders, to function as salt and light in the culture and to fulfill their civic responsibilities (Matthew 5:13-16, 40-42; 17:24-27; 22:21; Romans 13:1-7); and

WHEREAS, The Old Testament contains many examples of spiritual leaders engaging culture and government, such as: Moses, who petitioned Pharaoh for the liberty of God’s people (Exodus 5-12); Elijah, who confronted King Ahab for promoting idolatry and immorality (1 Kings 18); Isaiah, who condemned moral decay in the culture (Isaiah 1); Amos, who inveighed against injustice in society (Amos 5); and a host of other prophetic leaders; and

WHEREAS, The New Testament also contains examples of spiritual leaders engaging culture and government, such as: John the Baptist, who pointed out the adultery of a political ruler (Mark 6:17-18); the Lord Jesus, who encouraged the payment of taxes (Matthew 17:24-27; 22:21), but also challenged a government official (Luke 13:31-32); Peter, who faced off against the Jewish leadership restricting his freedom to preach (Acts 5:27-29); Paul, who insisted on justice from civil authorities (Acts 16:35-39); as well as others; and

WHEREAS, American history is replete with examples of spiritual leaders influencing culture and government, such as: Rev. Thomas Hooker, whose sermon served as the basis for the first constitution in America; Rev. Jonas Clarke, who wrote position papers on tyrannical British laws for the Massachusetts legislature and raised the militia that met the British army on Lexington Green behind his church; Rev. John Leland, the Baptist pastor who successfully lobbied James Madison to provide for freedom of religion in his proposed Bill of Rights; and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who valiantly fought for racial justice and civil rights and was martyred for his bold preaching and actions; and

WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have been blessed with many prophetic pastors whose pulpits flame with righteousness, some of whom have recently retired from the cultural battlefield through death, such as W. A. Criswell, Adrian Rogers, Jerry Falwell, and others; and

WHEREAS, There is a great need for a new generation of pastors to take the lead in courageously confronting an American culture and government that is hurtling downward to new depths of moral decadence and for pastors to stand firm in the face of continued threats to the sanctity of human life, the sacredness of marriage between one man and one woman, and the fundamental freedom to express our faith in the public arena; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in San Antonio, Texas, June 12-13, 2007, urge our pastors to preach the whole counsel of God, not only passionately inviting people to Jesus, but also prophetically declaring biblical truth concerning the burning moral issues that are being debated in the culture and government; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage pastors to model and promote informed and active Christian citizenship among the membership of our churches; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we support our pastors as they lead their congregations to engage their communities, our culture, and our nation as salt and light, showing the way to the only hope for America and for the world, who is Jesus Christ.