This is a resolution that I have submitted to the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention to be considered in a couple of weeks in New Orleans:
A Resolution Affirming Holistic Ministry and Community Involvement By Local Churches
WHEREAS, Humanity's greatest problem at the root of all other problems is that we rebel against God and are separated from Him because of indwelling sin and through continual sin; and
WHEREAS, The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only solution to our problem as it reconciles us to God through faith and to one another; and
WHEREAS, The requirement for Christians as we live in relationship with Christ is that we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God; and
WHEREAS, The work and ministry of Jesus involved both proclaiming and demonstrating the Gospel of the Kingdom through both word and deed; and
WHEREAS, We are commanded by Scripture to both preach the gospel and do good deeds so that our light would shine before men; and
WHEREAS, We are commanded by Scripture to sacrificially love our neighbor and all those in need as we love ourselves with both material and spiritual assistance; and
WHEREAS, We are called to be ambassadors of Christ with the ministry of reconciliation to all who are alienated from God and are living under the effects of both personal, social, and structural sin; and
WHEREAS, we live in a country and world where animosity between races and socioeconomic groups, unemployment, poverty, crime, substance abuse, high school dropout rates, unwed pregnancies, and many other social concerns are greatly diminishing individuals, families, and communities; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have a long history of providing aid to all people in times of need through disaster relief, physical assistance, providing food, clothing, shelter, and advocating for justice for the oppressed among other things; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 19-20, 2012, affirm and encourage the work of our local churches, associations, community ministry centers, state conventions, and missions agencies in their ministry to the whole person and the needs of our communities; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage every Christian and local church to see the spiritual, physical, and social needs of their communities as opportunities to proclaim and demonstrate the love of Christ for God's glory and man's good; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage every local church to engage the needs of their community with a strong gospel witness in both word and deed as God uniquely gifts, directs, and enables; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage generous support of those ministries in Baptist life that are specifically equipped to facilitate the work of holistic ministry and the involvement of local churches in the same; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage education, training, and equipping of Christians in holistic ministry as an aspect of discipleship and fidelity to our Lord as God enables, gifts, and directs us to be His hands and feet to a hurting and needy world; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we eagerly pray for and await the Day when all things will be made right and reconciled to God through Jesus Christ as we live presently in hope that God's will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
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