Baptist Resolutions

The day after the Centennial Reunion is probably a day of reflection for most Baptist pastors around the state of Oklahoma. I'm sure many pastors are reminiscing about the great things that happened at the BGCO annual convention on Monday and Tuesday. There was the usual election of officers, the passing of resolutions, the preaching of baptist sermons, and the great booths where many different ministries displayed their services. And there was the wonderful Centennial Reunion last night where a nationally-renown singer performed, a Will Rogers impersonator told the history of Oklahoma Baptists, and the singing churchmen and women led the audience in praise. I have to say I was very proud at different points in the evening to be an oklahoma southern baptist. Through the cooperative program, many different ministries that are rooted in Oklahoma soil have done a lot of good in the world. From the Baptist Homes for children to the International Mission Board, from OBU to Disaster Relief efforts in New York, the Gulf Coast, Tsunami devastated area, etc., from the local churches to the North American Mission board, there has been much fruit in the world as a result of Oklahomans who worship in Southern Baptist churches.  Nonetheless, I also had a general feeling that we were much to proud of ourselves.  If we are simply a tool which God uses to do his work, why do we seem to take most of the credit? If we replaced the words "oklahoma baptists" with the words "God's tools" in the program last night perhaps we would have realized more fully who is truly responsible for the great fruit that we see.  Just a thought.

Aside from the Centennial Reunion, the rest of the convention was rather bland. No one preached anything controversial or "edgy" and the resolutions which were passed were very mild, too mild. (There was also little comment or discussion in the bsuiness session; only one questioned was raised). In a time when justice is not always sought by our presidential leaders and other leaders around the world, I hoped for something more. No, I'm not saying we need to be controversial for the sake of being controversial or drawing attention to ourselves, but for the sake of drawing attention to certain individuals that are crying out for help.  Therefore, I propose 10 more resolutions, each of which I believe is biblical, pertinent, and should be emphasized in Baptist churches.

Resolution 001: God's word is more than "inerrant" and "infallible".

Resolution 002: God's work in the world is greater than the cooperative program and the agencies the CP helps fund.

Resolution 003: God's wisdom is far beyond any set of "Baptist" (or otherwise) distinctives we can formulate and comprehend (see Executive Treasurer's address which included 6 Baptist distinctives)

Resolution 004: God's will is that we offer grace, mercy, and any other benefit we have received from God (material or otherwise) to every individual, even those outside of a "traditional family unit". (See Resolution passed 11/14/06 by BGCO which calls on every organization, association, or agency  to withhold Family Benefits to those who do not constitute a "traditional family unit" defined as mother, father, and children with the exception of single parent homes; see also research which shows over 50% of Americans considers themselves NOT living in family units!)

Resolution 005: God's world-wide church includes more people than we would let in. (Followers of Calvin know that it's God's elect - those whom he's chosen - that are apart of the Kingdom. What right do we have to say that someone is or is not apart?)

Resolution 006: That as the Christmas season approaches, we preach the true gospel that salvation from God comes as a free gift that cannot be earned or bought as opposed to the false gospel that happiness, love, and reconciliation with God or man can be bought with money.

Resolution 007: That as Thanksgiving approaches we remember and pray for those without food, that all of us might one day sit and feast at the LORD's table (Isaiah 25:6).

Resolution 008: That as each day passes the blood of the thousands slaughtered in Darfur and the millions dying of preventable illnesses continues to cry out louder and louder against those of us who idly sit by and DO NOTHING (Isaiah 26:21).

Resolution 009: That we as Southern Baptist leaders teach that the principles of stewardship include at the bare minimum a tithe (1/10) of our first produce each year, a tithe of our produce every third year for the poor, and a responsibility to treat the earth as if we are merely leasing it, with the full intention of returning it to its owner in a condition better than we found it.

Resolution 010: that we throw up a red flag whenever someone proposes that we use torture or other violence as a way to retrieve information (no matter how crucial or important the information is); that we censure those who suggest such a proposition; that we at the very least do not value our freedom more than we value the freedom of any other person (Philippians 2:3-5).