Executive Committee

Compiled by Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer, BWA Historian

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Appreciation

The Relief Committee of the Baptist World Alliance records its sincere appreciation of the signal service rendered by Dr. R. Dean Goodwin during the years of his chairmanship of the Committee. His guidance of the Com-mittee’s effort was marked by the spirit of Christian compassion for human suffering, tragedy and need; by a thorough knowledge of our Baptist World agencies and of the resources of Christian aid available through these.

Gratitude

Mrs. Helen Fling, Chairman of the Resolutions Committee appointed on Thursday night, presented the following:
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the members of the BWA Executive Committee, publicly express gratitude:

Gratitude

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we all return to our countries to dedicate ourselves afresh to the service of God, to the proclamation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and to be agents of the reconciling love of God to all men everywhere.

Peace with Justice

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as we thank God for His peace that passes all understanding being unfolded by His grace in our personal lives, we pledge ourselves to work faithfully as instruments of His peace for the things that make for peace—justice, truth, and righteousness—to the furtherance of the great goal of peace on earth and good will among men.

World Food Situation

In view of the alarming world food situation threatening multitudes of the world’s population with famine and starvation, and recognizing the gospel mandate for Christian people to meet such urgent human need:

Appreciation

EC74 that our sincere appreciation to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. McCall, the staff, students, and others who helped, be expressed in the Minutes of this meeting.

Resignation of the United States President

BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1974-08.3 The Executive meeting was interrupted Thursday evening (August 8) to watch a television broadcast of Richard M. Nixon’s resignation as president of the United States. Following the broadcast, M. L. Wilson led in prayer for...

Resolutions Submitted by Outside Groups

BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1974-08.4 Ronald Goulding reported that a copy had been received from Ronald Watts of Canada of a resolution on “Torture and Human Rights” that had been passed by the Baptist Convention of Ontario at their General Assembly. Since...

World Relief

1. We the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance in Monrovia, Liberia, July 30-August 1, 1968, are deeply concerned about the many people in the world who are presently suffering hunger and who are great need of other necessities of life. The alarming aspect of this situation is the fact that the number of those affected is growing constantly.

Peace

lutions ought to have been distributed among the Committee members, especially for those whose mother tongue was not English. Gill shared his concern and added that he wished a resolution had been included on race. Tulles felt also that documents should have been distributed. Nordenhaug explained that due to technical difficulties there had been no opportunity to have the resolutions duplicated.

Appreciation

We the members of the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Baden, 2-6 August 1969, resolve:
That we declare our sincere appreciation to the civic authorities of Baden for their ready co-operation and to Reisebüro Mondial, particularly to the director Mr. R. Kadanka, for their courtesy and service,

Communication with Eastern European Countries

1. We the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Baden near Vienna, Austria, August 2-6, 1969 recognize with gratitude to God the presence of delegations from the following Eastern European countries: Czechoslovakia, German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, U.S.S.R., Yugoslavia.

The Absence of Our Cuban Brothers

Whereas die Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance is composed of members from Conventions and Unions of 68 countries in which a variety of opinions and policies are currently held, we thank God for the universal fellowship and brotherhood evident in the associations of the Baptist World Alli- ance, and

Support of Bible Societies

Whereas we give thanks to Almighty God for cooperation with other Chris-tian bodies in the areas of translation and Bible distribution and regard this as the evident workings of the Holy Spirit in our age; and,

World Relief and Rehabilitation

1. We the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance in Baden near Vienna, Austria, August 2-6, 1969, are deeply concerned about the continuing need of the many people in the world who are suffering hunger and who are in need of necessities of life.

Relief to Nigeria

Recognizing the tragic needs of Nigeria at this time, the Executive Com-mittee of the Baptist World Alliance resolves to send the sum of $6,000 to help meet the needs of suffering people in Nigeria, as a first step. While acknowledging the sacrificial giving of some of its member bodies already to this cause through other agencies, the Executive Committee resolves to appeal immediately to all member bodies of the BWA to respond now to the present Nigerian crisis, by sending all available gifts to the BWA Relief Committee for this purpose.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance takes note with deep sorrow of the violent death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior. They recall with thanksgiving his strong compassion for the underprivileged and oppressed, his unshakable courage in the pursuit of what he believed to be right, and his advocacy of a non-violent solution to evils and injustices in society.

Appreciation

That we express our deepest gratitude to Dr. William R. Tolbert, Jr., President of the Baptist World Alliance, Vice President of Liberia, and Presi-dent of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, and Mrs. Tolbert for being the perfect host and hostess, and

Evangelism

Be it therefore resolved that we renew our consecration to the work of evangelism, evangelism being understood to involve both the redemption of the individual, that individual’s growth in Christian character and service, and his involvement as a Christian in the broad spectrum of the life of his total environment.

Sir Donald Finnemore

Be it therefore resolved that we express our appreciation to Sir Donald Finnemore for his long and faithful service to the Baptist World Alliance, that we extend to him our gratitude for the portrait of Dr. Clifford, and that we request that the General Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance communicate to Sir Donald Finnemore these expressions of the Executive Committee.

Adolfs Klaupiks

We the members of the Executive Committee gathered at the annual meeting in Liberia heartily express to Adolfs Klaupiks our brotherly gratitude for his service on the Relief Committee of the Baptist World Alliance for so many years.

Bible Presented to Russian Baptists

The remaining resolutions were passed out. Hobbs stated that the Resolutions Committee wished to take note of the Centenary celebration of the beginning of Baptist work in the U.S.S.R. to be observed later in the month. In order to give tangible expression of the love and appreciation of Executive Committee members, a Russian Bible was presented to Sergei Timchenko. It was inscribed:

Peace

Whereas, Peace is a Christlike characteristic and should be the personal goal of every Christian, expressing itself in one’s peace with God and with his fellowmen, and

Turkish Residence Permit for James Leeper

Whereas, The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Monrovia, Liberia, July 30 to August 1, 1968, has learned that the Rever-end James Leeper, pastor of an English-speaking Baptist church in Ankara, Turkey, has been denied an extension of his residence permit,

Message to Baptist Churches Throughout the World

The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of twenty-six million Baptists of many nations and widely differing cultures and ways of life and thought. It is neither within its power nor its function to direct, admonish, or rule on the internal affairs or the political or economic procedures of its constituent bodies or of their countries

Manifesto

CALLS on Baptists to a more dedicated obedience to Christ’s Great Commission in view of the rapidly increasing world population, the technological challenges in many lands in the nuclear age, the revival of non-Christian religions, and the challenge of modern ideologies.

Statement on Angola

The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Wake Forest, North Carolina, U. S.
A., June 27-29, is shocked and grieved at the reliable and continuing reports of offenses against basic
rights, dignity, property and life itself occurring in Angola.

Nuclear Test Ban

RESOLUTION ON NUCLEAR TEST BAN. Mimeographed copies of a proposed resolution on Nuclear Tests were passed out. Tulles reported that a committee appointed by the Administrative Committee had drafted this statement for the approval of the Executive Committee. Te committee had consisted of Binns, Ivanov, Stassen, Payne, Tolbert, Tulles, Y. Zhidkov, and Nordenhaug.

Appreciation

The second resolution expressed appreciation for the hospitality enjoyed by the Executive Committee in Hamburg and for those who prepared and led the meeting:

The Situation of the Baptist Union in Spain

The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Hamburg, Germany, August 17-21, 1964, has received with rejoicing and thanksgiving to God the report that our Baptist brethren in Spain now enjoy a greater degree of freedom than heretofore. The reopening of Evangelical churches, and other evidences, indicate considerable improvement in the situation in that nation. The authorities there are due our commendation for these progressive steps.

Thanks

Hospitality may be described as the gracious art of anticipating certain human needs and meeting them with cordiality. Hospitality is a virtue to which the Bible gives high commendation. When we see it demonstrated by those of our own day and generation we likewise commend it. When it is extended to us personally we are especially grateful.

Religious Liberty in Spain

Gerhard Claas presented this resolution. Considerable discussing arose regarding the use of various words and phrases. However, MOTION was made, seconded, and carried, that the resolution on religious liberty in Spain be approved as presented by the Resolutions Committee:

Appreciation

BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1963-08.1 We, who have been visiting Baylor University in connection with the 1963 meeting of the Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance, desire to express our sincere appreciation to all who have made our visit so...

Restrictions on Immigration

WHEREAS, there are in camps in Germany, Italy, and Austria, nearly a million displaced persons of various denominations, composed of men, women, and children, 80% of whom are Christians, and 20% Jews, including 150,000 children below the age of 17, and;

Incorporation of the Baptist World Alliance

A resolution was introduced approving a decision made by the Administrative Committee re the incorporation of the Baptist World Alliance. Dr. Adams moved the adoption of the resolution. The motion was unanimously carried.

Letter to the Government of Rumania

To give effect to the foregoing resolution (I), the Committee unanimously approved (after similar scrutiny
by the Sub-Committee) the following letter to the Minister-President of the Government of Rumania: —

Church and State and Religious Freedom

Statements were made as to the position of Baptists in Germany, whose world (it was reported) had not been seriously disturbed; and discussion took place as to whether it was desirable to take action on the subject of repressive action towards other Christian bodies.

Berlin Congress — Thanks to Dr. Rushbrooke

(a) Official Report. The General Secretary reported on the preparation and issue of the Official Report. On the motion of Ex-President John MacNeill, the Committee resolved:—

Memorial Resolution — Professor A. T. Robertson

(d) Professor A. T. Robertson. Reference was made to the decease of this eminent scholar, formerly a member of the Executive, and the following resolution, drafted by W. O. Carver, was adopted: —

Rumania

The General Secretary reported at length on the situation in Rumania, and the possibilities of action by this Executive. Dr. Gill added a few words of confirmation und supplement. The Committee appreciated the gravity of the issue, and (having referred the precise terms for scrutiny by a Sub-Committee which
reported after the lunch interval) unanimously adopted the following three resolutions: —

Memorial Resolutions — Alderman Herbert Marnham

(a) Alderman Herbert Marnham. The death of Mr. Herbert Marnham, a member of this Executive
Committee from the founding of the Alliance and for many years its Eastern Treasurer, was referred to in
feeling terms, and the ex-President, at the request of the members, drew up a resolution which was
adopted in the following terms:—

German Baptist Mission in the Cameroons

BWA Executive Committee Resolution 1931-05.1 11. Cameroons.:—The General Secretary explained in detail the position which had arisen, and on the motion of Dr. W. O. Carver the following resolution was adopted unanimously:— That in the matter of the Cameroons this...

Baptists and Political Action

That in the matter of the Cameroons this Executive Committee thoroughly approve the procedure of its General Secretary in the efforts to procure permission for German Baptists to return to their mission fields, and that we instruct him to proceed, with careful and considerate methods, and taking account of all interests involved, to use every effort to bring about the consent of the French Government for the resumption of German Baptist missionary work in that mandated territory.

World Congress, Berlin

Representations regarding the advisability of a change of date for the next World Congress were considered. Extensive correspondence from the United States, South America, Germany and other countries in Europe, was submitted by the Secretaries. The President added a brief report respecting representations that had reached himself.

Needs of Baptists in Russia

Representations regarding the advisability of a change of date for the next World Congress were considered. Extensive correspondence from the United States, South America, Germany and other countries in Europe, was submitted by the Secretaries. The President added a brief report respecting representations that had reached himself.

Establishing a League of Nations

The representatives of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in London, July 19th to 23rd, 1920, which Alliance has a constituency of eight million Church members, with an additional constituency of adherents several times that number, would submit this message to all the Peoples and Governments of the World.

Persecution of Baptists in Rumania

The Conference Places on record its profound concern at the grave reports of persecution from which our Baptist brethren in Rumania have suffered during the past eighteen months and even within recent weeks; and calls upon the Rumanian Government to undertake a thorough investigation into the facts, and to take decisive action to bring to an end all religious persecution within its territories

Religious Liberty and Soul Freedom

A resolution on Religious Liberty, drawn up by Dr. Clifford, President Mullins and Dr. Truett, was passed in the following form:—
“It is the sense of this body that in this period of reconstruction and readjustment in the civil and religious life of the nations of the world, following the world-war, it is of the highest importance that full religious liberty should be granted to all peoples who do not now enjoy it.

Cooperation with Mission Boards

The following resolutions were adopted on the recommendation of the Committee on Co-operation:—
We fully recognise that all the recommendations of the Conference are subject to the cardinal Baptist principle of the rights of the individual Church and of the consent of the various Baptist Unions and Conventions concerned.

Bibles and Baptist Literature

The following resolutions were passed on the recommendation of the Literature Committee:—
“That we realise the great need of Bibles and hymn-books, and that steps be taken to supply them.”
“That an attempt be made to produce simple literature for the children, including simple exposition and pictures.”

Baptist Seminaries for Europe

We regard an educational policy as of primary importance for the extension of the Baptist denomination in Europe, and we consider that the establishment or strengthening of Baptist seminaries for the training of pastors and evangelists should be undertaken without delay.

Rumania and Religious Freedom

10. Rumania. Resolved, after a statement by Dr. Rushbrooke, that the following resolution be sent to the Rumanian Government and afterwards published:—

Religious Education of Children in the U.S.S.R.

56. Statements having been made by Drs. Franklin and Rushbrooke as to the position in Russia; agreed that Dr. Rushbrooke be instructed to prepare a resolution expressing support of his protest on the subject of the Russian Government’s attitude on the question of religious teaching of children. This resolution was formulated as follows:—