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Dignity and Justice for Indigenous Peoples (2023.1)
BWA General Council Resolution 2022.3 The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Stavanger, Norway, July 2-5, 2023: ACKNOWLEDGES the Sámi people of the Sápmi region, some of which overlaps with themodern nation in which we gather. CELEBRATES the rich...
Restorative Racial Justice & Flourishing Freedom (2022.3)
BWA General Council Resolution 2022.3 The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, July 10-15, 2022: ACKNOWLEDGES that since our last in-person gathering, a season of racial hostilities globally demands a renewed commitment to the...
Myanmar (2022.2)
BWA General Council Resolution 2022.2 The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, July 10-15, 2022: NOTES on February 1, 2021, the democratically elected leaders in Myanmar were overthrown in a coup d’état by the military...
Ukraine (2022.1)
BWA General Council Resolution 2022.1 The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, July 10-15, 2022: RECALLS the words and examples of the Old Testament prophets concerned to speak the truth of the word of the Lord into situations...
Slavery Reparations (2022.4)
BWA General Council Resolution 2022.4 The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, July 10-15, 2022: ACKNOWLEDGES important local, national, and global conversations about chattel slavery, its enduring generational impacts, and the...
Resolution Opposing Violence and Abuse of Women and Girls
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, July 2-6:
AFFIRMS that women and girls are created in the image of God and invested with inestimable worth and dignity as gifts from God, and are essential to the health and vitality of families, churches, communities, and national life;
Resolution on Ministry to Refugees
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 6-8, 2016:
ACKNOWLEDGES the profound challenges created in many parts of our world by the massive flow of refugees and displaced persons,
Resolution on Religious Liberty in the USA
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
AFFIRMS freedom of religion and belief as a core value borne out in Baptist history and opposes all forms of discrimination based on faith or religion;
Resolution on the Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
STATES its concerns at the climate of political and social instability and violence in Venezuela, which has led to deteriorating socio-economic conditions, including a shortage of food and medicines;
Resolution on Religious Freedom in Russia
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
REAFFIRMS our historic Baptist commitment to religious freedom as a gift of God to all people, regardless of denomination or religion; and that this same commitment is enshrined in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, to which the Russian Federation is a signatory;
Resolution on Violations of Religious Freedom in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 6-8, 2016:
RENEWS its concern about the continuing humanitarian crisis in Nigeria previously addressed by a BWA resolution in 2012;
Situation in Ukraine
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014:
NOTES with concern that, in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine generally, the situation has led to increased religious persecution, especially against evangelical Christians;
Appendix II: Baptist World Alliance Resolutions Paper
1. The diverse worldwide Baptist family, represented through the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), is concerned about the contemporary religious, missional, social, cultural, political and economic issues that affect the global family.
2. One means of giving expression to the conclusions Baptists draw on issues of concern to them, and of bearing witness to this before the world, is through the preparation, adoption and sharing of resolutions proposed by member bodies, commissions, etc., for approval by the BWA General Council.
3. BWA’s approach to framing resolutions is informed by biblical teaching and predicated on Baptists’ trinitarian faith. The resolutions are shaped by the values and convictions generally affirmed by Baptists and are proposed by members of the Baptist family, or by the Resolutions Committee, which also considers, reviews and amends them where necessary for presentation to the General Council for consideration and possible adoption.
Resolution on Refugees in East Africa
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
NOTES with appreciation the resolution titled “Ministry to Refugees” adopted by the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 6-8, 2016;
Resolution on Freedom of Religion in the Lugansk Region in Eastern Ukraine
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, July 2-6, 2018:
EXPRESSES concern that that the situation for religious communities is precarious in the eastern part of Ukraine – the Lugansk region. The region is part of a conflict area now widely understood to be under the control of Russia, which has recognized the area as “The Lugansk Peoples Republic (LPR).”
Resolution on Human Slavery and Trafficking
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5-7, 2017:
ACKNOWLEDGES that General Council has regularly reminded the global family of Baptists about the evil practice of modern slavery;
Resolution on Preserving the Primacy of Family in Immigration
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, July 2-6, 2018:
RECOGNIZES that the human desire to preserve and protect one’s family from violence, disease, economic depravity, and other threatening conditions is universal and drives millions of people to leave their homelands seeking better lives for themselves and their family members;
Resolution on Current Manifestations of Religious Intolerance and Religiously-Motivated Violence
The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Council, meeting in Nassau, Bahamas, July 7-12, 2019: EXPRESSES its deep concern over recent instances of religious intolerance and religiously- motivated violence around the world since its last meeting in 2018
Humanitarian Crisis of the Mass Migration of Unaccompanied Minors in the Americas
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance {BWA), meeting in Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014:
ACKNOWLEDGES the human tragedy of the recent flood of unaccompanied minors to the United States who risk their lives in search of safety, economic resources and justice;
Recognizing and Affirming the Calling of Women in the Church
CELEBRATES the Baptist International Conference on Theological Education that met in Nassau, Bahamas, July 5-7, 2019, with the theme of “TOGETHER: Re-Imagining, Re-Reading HERstory in the Church,” with significant discussions of women in the church;
Resolution on the Paris Agreement and Climate Change
The Baptist World Alliance General Council, meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 6-8, 2016: CONTINUES TO BELIEVE AND AFFIRM:
• God is the creator, sustainer, and Lord of all, delights in creation, and is committed to its care and renewal;
• The biblical teaching that the earth is God’s creation and we, also as God’s creation, are to nurture and care for it;
Resolution on Haiti
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, July 1-6, 2013:
ACKNOWLEDGES that the Republic of Haiti was the first, and for a long time, the only state in the world to recognize equality of rights for all human beings regardless of gender, economic condition or any other consideration;
Kachin Crisis
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Ocha Rios, Jamaica, July 1-6, 2013:
LAMENTS the atrocities occurring in Rakhine, Chin, Karen and Kachin states in Myanmar;
Resolution on Corruption
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014:
ACKNOWLEDGES that every human being is created in the image of God and thereby has an intrinsic
value to God and to the world (Genesis 1:26-27);
Christians at Risk of Persecution
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), meeting in Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014:
RECOGNIZES the very real dangers faced by many Christians in various parts of the world who experience intolerance and persecution from governments and authorities of different political, religious and ideological persuasions;
Child Sexual Abuse in the Church
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Ocha Rios, Jamaica, July 1-6, 2013:
AFFIRMS the intrinsic and inestimable value of children and young people as gifts from God and as the promise of future generations;
Encouraging Discipleship in Turkey
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Izmir, Turkey, July 9-11, 2014: RECOGNIZES the courage and faithfulness of the disciples of Christ in the nation of Turkey;
ACKNOWLEDGES the government’s efforts towards mutual respect and tolerance among different religious groups, which help promote peace and harmony among all of its peoples;
Current Crisis on the Korean Peninsula
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Ocha Rios, Jamaica, July 1-6, 2013:
NOTES, with concern, the nuclear test carried out by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the escalation of rhetoric involving the DPRK, Republic of Korea and the USA of America, and the fear that this can lead to armed conflict in the region;
Human Rights Based on the Work of Anabaptist Richard Overton
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Ocha Rios, Jamaica, July 1-6, 2013, in honor of the Human Rights Advocacy award winner for 2013, Glen Stassen:
RECALLS the contributions of English Anabaptist Richard Overton who encouraged Christians to discover human rights by recognizing the rule of God as revealed in Jesus;
Resolution on Displaced Persons
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Ocha Rios, Jamaica, July 1-6, 2013:
REMEMBERS that the Bible honors displaced persons, including the people of Israel who lived as exiles for forty years before entering Canaan (Exodus 13ff.), and who later experienced displacement, loss and trauma when exiled to Assyria and Babylon (e.g. 2 Kings 24:10-16), and the Lord Jesus Christ who, with his family, experienced life as a displaced person (Matthew 2:13-23);
Prayer for Justice and Mercy for Nations and Peoples in Conflict
We express concern for nations and peoples who are caught in a terrible circle of hatred, violence, injustice, and suffering, who live in fear in police states where terrorist acts and military incursions are regular events.
We further recognize that the oppression and depravities by one group leads to anger and violence by the other which is then escalated by the first.
Against Terrorism
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Seville, Spain, July 8-13 2002:
NOTES with profound sadness the continuing suffering and destruction caused by various kinds of terrorism;
EXTENDS its sympathy to all victims of terrorism and encourages initiatives to offer relief to such victims;
The Middle East
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Seville, Spain, July 8-13, 2002:
DEPLORES the continuing violence in the Middle East;
LAMENTS the absence of peace for all the people of the Middle East;
NOTES that the absence of peace for the Middle East contributes to suffering throughout the world;
Congratulations to Former USA President, Jimmy Carter
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7-12, 2003:
RECOGNIZES the importance of the work of Baptists throughout the world, individually and collectively, to bring peace and justice to all of the people of God;
ACKNOWLEDGES the tireless efforts of former President Jimmy Carter to bring about peace and justice in the world;
World Methodist Council
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7-12, 2003:
CELEBRATES with the World Methodist Council the 300th anniversary of the birth of John Wesley, founder of Methodism;
THANKS God for God’s blessings upon, and use of, the Methodist Church for God’s Kingdom work during these three centuries;
Upheaval in Africa
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7-12, 2003:
COMMENDS the Christian churches and missions in Africa, especially the Baptist congregations, for their commitment to the Great Commission of Matthew 28, which has resulted in some of the most vibrant and fastest growing Christian communities in the world;
On Religious Liberty
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7-12, 2003:
RECOGNIZES that every human being is of intrinsic worth, being created in the image of God and possessing the possibility of fellowship with the God of the universe;
AFFIRMS that one of the basic rights of each human being is the right to worship openly and freely according to the dictates of one’s own heart;
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7-12, 2003:
NOTES with appreciation the willingness of Korean Baptists to host the 2003 meeting of the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance and looks forward to meeting in Seoul in 2004;
Middle East
COMMENDS the leadership of USA President George W. Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas as well as the roles of the USA, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia in putting forth “The Road Map to Peace” that provides an opportune moment for all parties involved in the Middle East conflict;
Forthcoming World Congress, 2005
ANTICIPATES with joy the forthcoming Centenary Congress of the Baptist World Alliance in Birmingham, England, July 2005;
THANKS God for the many blessings experienced by the world Baptist family over the l00 years of the life and mission of the Baptist World Alliance;
Christ the Living Water
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Seoul, South Korea, July 28-31, 2004:
REAFFIRMS its strong conviction that salvation is offered to the world through Jesus Christ alone by means of his life, death and resurrection and continuing mission;
EMPHASISES the crucial importance of personal conversion through the work of the Holy Spirit issuing in repentance, faith in Christ as saviour, baptism, incorporation into the church and the life of discipleship;
Baptist World Aid and the Micah Challenge
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Seoul, South Korea, July 28-31, 2004:
COMMENDS the Micah network (Micah 6.8) in their desire to strengthen the capacity of aid and development agencies such as Baptist World Aid to make a biblically-shaped response to the needs of the poor and oppressed in line with the World Evangelical Alliance resolution of 2001 to support the UN initiative to halve current levels of world poverty by 2015;
Withdrawal of the Southern Baptist Convention from the Family of the Baptist World Alliance
NOTES that the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Indianapolis in June 2004 voted to approve a recommendation from its Executive Committee to withdraw from the family of the Baptist World Alliance;
ACKNOWLEDGES with gratitude the enormous contribution made by the Southern Baptist Convention in the formation of the Baptist World Alliance 100 years ago and in the continued development and effectiveness of the Baptist World Alliance since its inception;
The Korean Peninsula
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Seoul, South Korea, July 28-31, 2004:
COMMENDS the Korean Baptist Convention for the faithful witness to the Gospel both within South Korea and in its mission work throughout the world.
NOTES with concern the continued division of families and communities in the north and south of Korea;
Appreciation
NOTES with appreciation the work of Korean Baptists in hosting this 2004 meeting of the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance;
OFFERS sincere thanks to the Baptist Convention of South Korea, its President, C. Y. Choi and General Secretary, S. S. Hong for their invitation to meet in Seoul;
Violence Against Women and Children
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Mexico City, July 3-8, 2006:
Recognizes that women and children are victims of violence that include exploitation in the sex industry, which includes sexual trafficking, labor exploitation, domestic conflict, recruitment into military conflict, rape, many other forms of violence because of precarious and vulnerable situations.
Statement of Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Mexico City, July 3-8, 2006:
Offers sincere thanks to the Mexico Baptist Convention for the invitation to hold this Annual Gathering in this wonderful city.
HIV/AIDS Crisis
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Mexico City, July 3-8, 2006:
Notes again the great urgency of the HIV/AIDS crisis and laments that 65 million people have been infected and more than 25 million people have died of HIV/AIDS in the past 25 years.
On Human Rights and Abuses in Myanmar
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Mexico City, July 3-8, 2006:
Recognizes historic Baptists links with Burma [Myanmar] dating back to the work of Adoniram Judson and his colleagues in the nineteenth century.
On Sudan
Expresses concern about the ongoing armed conflicts which have resulted in more than 2,000,000 deaths and over 1,000,000 displaced persons and numerous other human rights violations. These violations are evident in Darfur, but exist throughout Sudan. Encourages further networking among Sudanese Baptist churches who are isolated by the effects of war.
Evangelism and Missions
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Mexico City, July 3-8, 2006:
Reaffirms at the beginning of a new century of Baptist World Alliance life and witness our commitment to proclaim and demonstrate, through word and deed, our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
200th Anniversary of the Passing of the Act to Abolish the Slave Trade in the British Colonies
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering, meeting in Accra, Ghana, July 2-7, 2007:
Resolves to commemorate in this historic setting the two hundredth anniversary of the beginning of the abolition of the slave trade.
Admits a long history of human enslavement that has broken families, robbed identities, stripped dignity and inflicted deep and inexpressible pain.
On Darfur
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering, meeting in Accra, Ghana, July 2-7, 2007:
Maintains ongoing concern about the armed conflicts, contrived famines, destruction of communities, lack of transparent truth and accountability and other human rights violations in Sudan.
Baptist World Aid and the Poor in God’s World
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering, meeting in Accra, Ghana, July 2-7, 2007:
Renews its decision made at the General Council in Seoul, Korea, 2004, to strengthen the capacity of aid and development agencies, such as Baptist World Aid, to make a biblically- shaped response to the needs of the poor and oppressed in line with the Micah Challenge campaign to support the UN initiative of 2000 on the Millennium Development Goals to halve the level of world poverty by 2015;
On Detention and Due Process
On Detention and Due Process
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering, meeting in Accra, Ghana, July 2-7, 2007:
Urges all governments, enforcement agencies under their jurisdictions, and non-state actors to enforce and abide by the basic tenets of human rights as represented in international laws and conventions in the investigation, arrest, interrogation, detention, due process, trial, sentencing, and incarceration of all persons, regardless of race, religion, gender, national status, or political association.
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance in Vancouver, Canada, July 3-9, 1997,
ACKNOWLEDGES the gracious efforts of Bruce Milne, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Vancouver, who chaired the Local Arrangements Committee, and Bob Pearmain, assistant chair;
1994 International Year of the Family
ACKNOWLEDGES the actions of Baptists in our own generation in championing religious freedom for all people, especially those who find themselves in a minority situation;
VIEWS WITH ALARM the denial of the right of religious liberty to minority groups such as evangelicals in Bulgaria, Albania, Iran, Ethiopia and the republics of Central Asia, Christians in China, Indonesia and East Timor; and to the Coptic Orthodox and other Christians in Egypt;
The Ministry of Reconciliation
REJOICES with the world community at recent political developments where negotiation has opened the way to peaceful resolution of long-term hostility or oppression, in particular:
• the September 1993 accords between the Israelis and Palestinians
• the birth of a non-racial and truly democratic society through the April 1994 elections in South Africa
• the peaceful transition to democracy in Malawi in 1994 where Baptists and other Christian leaders played a crucial and courageous role;
Witness in a Secular Europe
CELEBRATES the widespread presence of Baptists through the nations of Eurasia;
RECOGNIZES that member bodies, such as the Baptist Union of Sweden, in their commitment to partnership with other Christians, without compromising their distinctive Baptist identity, provide a model of the sharing of work and witness called for by the Seoul Covenant;
1995 Baptist World Congress: Celebrate Christ, the Hope of the World
BWA General Council Resolution 1994.6 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Uppsala, Sweden from 18-24 July 1994: ENDORSES preparations being made for the 17th Baptist World Congress to be held 1-6 August 1995 in Buenos Aires, Argentina;...
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Uppsala, Sweden from 18-24 July 1994:
OFFERS sincere thanks to the Baptist Union of Sweden for the warmth of their welcome and the generosity of their hospitality;
Evangelism
REAFFIRMS the priority given by the Alliance to evangelism; and
APPRECIATES the leadership already demonstrated by President Nilson Fanini and eagerly anticipates his continuing efforts in this area; and
Persecution of Christians
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Uppsala, Sweden from 18-24 July 1994:
OFFERS sincere thanks to the Baptist Union of Sweden for the warmth of their welcome and the generosity of their hospitality;
Church Burning in the U.S.A.
NOTES with profound concern the continuing incidents of church burning, numbering in excess of 40 within the past 18 months in the United States of America, involving congregations with African– American membership; and
Hong Kong
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Hong Kong, July 3-9,1996:
NOTES the approaching return of the territory of Hong Kong to Chinese control effective July 1, 1997; and
RECOGNIZES that some perceive this event as potentially traumatic, while others are more optimistic about a new experiment in plural socio-economic systems co-existing within a single nation; and
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Hong Kong, July 3-9, 1996:
OFFERS sincere thanks to the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong for the warmth of their welcome and the generosity of their hospitality;
ACKNOWLEDGES the gracious welcome to Hong Kong given by President Cecil Chan; and
Peace in the Middle East
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Vancouver Canada, July 3-9, 1997,
EXPRESSES concern that the Middle East peace process has only partially been implemented and that this threatens the stability of all the states in the region;
Rwanda and Burundi
COMMENDS with appreciation the Baptist Heads of Denominations and its secretary, the Rev. Noah Pashapa, for the invaluable and gracious assistance given to the BWA staff in planning and organizing this first-ever BWA gathering in Southern Africa;
Landmines
BWA General Council Resolution 1997.3 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 3-9, 1997, NOTES with horror that currently in excess of 100 million anti-personnel land mines are deployed in more than 70 countries, with a...
Human Rights
BWA General Council Resolution 1997.1 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 3-9, 1997: RECOGNIZES with gratitude that 1998 will mark the 59th anniversary of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights which...
Conflict Resolution in Nagaland
RECALLS that In November 1997 the Naga people celebrated the 125th anniversary of the introduction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their country by Baptist missionaries;
MOURNS more than fifty years of conflict and civil war In Nagaland, which in the last decade has resulted in the division of the Nagas into multiple factions, with insurgent armies that have engaged In violent conflict with the Indian army and, on occasion, with each other;
Reconciliation
APPLAUDS the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that Is playing an active role in helping to bring healing following the end of apartheid and the establishment of democratic rule in South Africa;
COMMENDS the efforts of South African Baptists led by Desmond Hoffmeister, General Secretary of the Baptist Convention of South Africa, and Terry Rae, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa, and encourages their continuing resolve to work under God’s inspiration and guidance toward a Just reconciliation between these two communities;
Nuclear Proliferation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Durban. July 5-11,1998
REGRETS the recent nuclear testing by India and Pakistan that has led to renewed global concern
about nuclear proliferation;
DEPLORES the failure of the world’s other nuclear powers to effectively discourage the spread of
nuclear weapons;
Jubilee 2000
BWA General Council Resolution 1998.4 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting In Durban, July 5-11,1998 ANTICIPATES a special celebration of the anniversary of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the year 2000; AFFIRMS that "there is no other...
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting In Durban July 5-11,1998
OFFERS sincere thanks to the Baptist Convention of South Africa, the Baptist Union of Southern Africa, and the local congregations in Durban and vicinity for their warm welcome and generous hospitality;
Balkans Reconciliation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Dresden July 11-17, 1999
ACKNOWLEDGES with gratitude the speedy and continuing response by Baptist World Aid, other Baptist agencies, and various non-governmental organizations in providing relief to the victims of this conflict in the spirit of biblical teaching including Romans 12:14-21;
Jubilee 2000 Developments
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Dresden July 11-17, 1999 RECALLS the 1998 General Council resolution endorsing the Jubilee 2000 initiative;
REJOICES in the developing success of this campaign, which seeks to encourage the forgiveness of debts by banks and government agencies to ensure a debt-free start to the next millennium for the poorest nations in the world;
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Dresden July 11-17, 1999
OFFERS sincere thanks to the Union of Evangelical Free Churches in Germany and the local congregations of Dresden and vicinity for their warm welcome and generous hospitality;
ACKNOWLEDGES the gracious welcome to the State of Saxony given by Herr Gunther Portune, state secretary in the ministry of culture;
Southern Africa
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Montego Bay, Jamaica, July 4-12, 1992;
MINDFUL of the meetings of the General Council and the 12th Baptist Youth World Conference set for Zimbabwe in August, 1993;
World Evangelization
REALIZING that over four billion people in our world do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and that one-fourth of the world’s population has never heard the Gospel,
ACKNOWLEDGING the commitment that member bodies of the BWA have made through the Seoul Covenant to world evangelization.
The AIDS Crisis
As the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meets in Nassau, the Bahamas, July 1988, the AIDS crisis continues to escalate on a global scale.
The 16,000 cases of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) reported in 1985 are now nearly 75,000 in 129 countries.
International Year of Shelter for the Homeless
The BWA General Council, meeting in Singapore, July 1986:
1. notes that the United Nations has designated 1987 as International Year of Shelter for the Homeless;
2. commends the study of appropriate materials on this subject which will be available from the United Nations and various Baptist bodies;
3. encourages our member bodies to take such actions, particularly through local churches, as will contribute to the lessening of this social problem.
Peace with Justice
Whereas humankind has now entered the fifth decade of life under the awesome threat of nuclear annihilation, and
Whereas the nations of the world will spend approximately the equivalent of one trillion US dollars this year on military forces and weapons, and
Baptist Identity
In an era of concern over Baptist identity, this Council endorses the request of the BWA Baptist Heritage Commission to urge Baptists worldwide to recover their rich heritage and to conduct their mission as part of Christ’s church with a deeper understanding of their history, and indicates the availability of the Commission as a resource body.
Prisoners of Conscience
The BWA General Council, meeting in Singapore, July 1986:
1. notes the vast number of people, both men and women, who are in prison, whose only “crime” has been the conscientious expression of different political views of the proclamation of the Christian Gospel;
World Hunger (1986)
WHEREAS, estimates of the number of chronically hungry people range from 500 million to one billion, from one-eighth to one-fourth of the world’s population; and
Afghanistan
The BWA General Council, meeting in Singapore, July 1986:
1. is aware of the present situation in the country of Afghanistan and notes with concern the plight of some three million refugees;
2. also notes that the refugee situation has created serious problems for neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan;
Nicaragua
The BWA General Council, meeting in Singapore, July 1986:
1. affirms its solidarity with the Nicaraguan Baptist Convention;
2. notes with pleasure that delegations of Baptists from various parts of the world have established personal and church links with our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua and encourages other Baptist Unions and Conventions to do the same;
South Africa
The BWA General Council, meeting in Singapore, July 1986:
1. affirms its solidarity with the Nicaraguan Baptist Convention;
2. notes with pleasure that delegations of Baptists from various parts of the world have established personal and church links with our brothers and sisters in Nicaragua and encourages other Baptist Unions and Conventions to do the same;
Appreciation
This Council expresses its warm appreciation to the officers and members of the Singapore Baptist Convention for their generous welcome and hospitality and for the excellent arrangements made for these meetings. We thank those who have made us feel so much at home.
Hostages
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Amman, Jordan, July 5-12, 1987, affirms its belief:
— that all human beings are created by God;
— that human life is sacred and of value to God;
Religious and Racial Minorities
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Amman, Jordan, July 5-12, 1987, l) welcomes the encouraging report of the Baptist Friendship Tour to China in 1986;
2) warmly supports the decision to plan further visits and contacts for learning and sharing with Chinese Christians; and,
2000 A.D. — Year of Peace
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Amman, Jordan, July 5-12, 1987, welcomes the vision of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America for the year 2000 A.D. to be recognized as a Year of Peace to mark the beginning of the third Christian millennium.
The Millennium of Christianity in Russia
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Amman, Jordan, July 5-12, 1987, expresses its joy at the forthcoming celebration of the 1,000th anniversary of Christianity in Russia in 1988 and gives God thanks for the contribution of Russian Christians to the world church.
Appreciation
This Council wholeheartedly thanks the officers, members and churches of the Jordan Baptist Convention and the missionary personnel working with them for their warm welcome and generous hospitality and for the excellent preparations made for these meetings in Amman.
Openness in the Soviet Union
Today we commend Christians in the Soviet Union, and especially Baptists, for their positive contributions, faithfully made in season and out, to their country’s morality, culture and history.
For many years the Baptist World Alliance has appealed to the government of the USSR to permit a larger measure of religious freedom for its people.
Youth Ministry
he BWA General Council welcomes the report of the Youth Executive Committee on the value of the Asian Youth Leadership Training Conference in Singapore last week.
With them we thank God for the enthusiasm and commitment of the youth leaders who shared in this cross- cultural experience. We also acknowledge the support of those Unions and Conventions which made it possible for so many to attend.
Illicit Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Addictive Chemical Substances
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in the Bahamas, July 1988:
Gives thanks to God for the comfort and well being brought to multitudes through the medical use of drugs;
Views with alarm the tragic growth of illicit drug trafficking, the subsequent victimizing of vast numbers of people, especially youth, through these addictive substances and the resulting explosion of drug-related crises;
South Africa
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Nassau, the Bahamas, July 1988:
Reaffirms its resolution dealing with apartheid adopted at its meeting in Los Angeles in 1985, and
Urges the Baptist Union and the Baptist Convention of Southern Africa to challenge the evil of apartheid by their own example of reconciliation and full equality within their own churches and the extended Christian family as well as their society.
Peacemaking
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance has often addressed peace issues, most recently in 1985 and 1986. Again in 1988, as the Council meets in the Bahamas, we:
Reaffirm previous resolutions that have spoken to peace with disarmament and peace with justice, and
Welcome the completion of the treaty calling for the elimination of intermediate range nuclear equipped missiles for the United States of America and the USSR and encourage work toward understandings which will lead to the reduction of all levels of military forces.
Toxic Waste
God created earth— air, land and sea. Because we are stewards of Planet Earth, we Christians, along with all people of good will, are disturbed by the pollution of land, air and sea. It is profoundly distressing that nations are reported to be dumping nuclear waste onto the soil of developing nations.
Women
We celebrate the multiple gifts and sensitivities women bring to the service of Jesus Christ and the work of the Baptist family around the world.
Women make up approximately two-thirds of the membership of the church. In society at large, opportunities for the involvement of women are increasing in government, social, economic and educational areas.
Appreciation
We express appreciation to the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Education Convention for:
Hospitality extended to the Baptist World Alliance during the meeting of the General Council, its committees and commissions, July 1988, and for
Resolution of Salutation
As the General Council of the BWA meets in Nassau, the Bahamas, July 1988, we:
Request that the general secretary send greetings and prayerful best wishes from the General Council to living past BWA presidents, the living widows of past BWA presidents, living past general secretaries and the living widow of past general secretaries.
Children
Children have been tortured, sentenced to death, recruited into armed service and physically abused.
THEREFORE, this General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, August 1989,
Human Rights
WHEREAS the Commission on Freedom, Justice, and Peace has for a number of years devoted some of its attention to the issues of human rights, we request the Commission to provide the 1978 BWA General Council such summary statement and guidelines as they deem appropriate.
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance wishes to express its appreciation of:
1. The royal welcome of our British Baptist brothers and sisters, whose thoughtful kindness has further endeared them to us. We will take back to our homes their gift to remind us of these days while life shall last.
Sources of Energy
We, the General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, urge on all governments and all members of our churches the need for careful and responsible husbanding of such resources, having in mind the effects of these shortages on the economies, especially of Third World countries and the requirements of succeeding generations.
Religious Freedom and Human Rights
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, believing in the inherent right of all people to freedom of religious faith, practice, and propagation, and recognizing the rights of governments to require that such freedom shall be exercised responsibly, wishes once again to express its deep concern over present attitudes in many countries with respect to religious believers, involving in some cases, strong legislation against them.
World Hunger (1979)
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, realizing that many of the world’s peoples are threatened by starvation — by famine, war and natural disaster which have contributed to their desperate plight — we cannot help but recognize the gospel mandate for Christian people to meet such urgent human need.
The Dispossessed
The Baptist World Alliance General Council expresses the deepest disquiet over the plight of the dispossessed and homeless peoples of the world.
We plead with all governments to avoid discriminatory policies against any of the peoples within their jurisdiction.
Theological Training and “The Seminary Fund”
Carl W. Tiller had been asked to prepare a report for the Council on efforts made in past years by Baptists of the world to provide theological training and to establish a theological seminary in the heart of Europe. His written report contained a history of a seminary fund for training in the Slavic languages, begun in 1908 by Baptists.
Message to Baptist Churches Throughout the World
The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of almost 29 of the 33 million Baptists in the world. They represent many nations and widely differing cultures and ways of life and thought. It is neither within its power nor its function to direct, or rule on the internal affairs of the political or economic procedures of its constituent bodies or of their countries.
Testing of Nuclear Weapons
WHEREAS the Baptist World Congress, held in Tokyo in 1970, called for International “agreements for the limitation of both offensive and defensive strategic weapons” and for “immediate agreements to suspend the further deployment of all offensive and defensive nuclear strategic weapons systems, subject to national verification or such other measures of observation and inspection as may be appropriate,”
Charismatic Movement
WHEREAS the Commission on Doctrine and Inter-Church Cooperation has for a number of years devoted some of its attention to the charismatic movement, we request the Commission to provide the 1978 BWA General Council such summary statement and guidelines for our Baptist fellowship as they deem appropriate.
Appreciation
WHEREAS the General Secretary and staff of the BWA have served the meeting with outstanding efficiency and courtesy, thereby facilitating the speedy and effective work of this Council,
Appreciation
BE IT RESOLVED that we show our appreciation to the Baptist people of Miami, especially the staff and congregation of the Central Baptist Church of Miami, and the Miami Baptist Association for their fine hospitality.
Peace Conference
5 MOTION was made, seconded, amended, and carried 36GC76 that the following resolution be adopted:
The General Council, having learned of the preparations to hold a World Conference in 1977, involving representation from all the major religions of the world, entitled “World Conference of Religious Workers for Lasting Peace, Disarmament, and Just Relations Among Nations,”
Food Aid as a Political Instrument
MOTION by W. A. Criswell was seconded, and carried 35GC76 that the following resolution be adopted:
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, believing that the feeding of the starving and the undernourished ought not to be limited to people whose governments are closely allied to donor governments, and recognizing that some governments have used, or have been under pressure to use relief,
Relief and Development Programs
MOTION by Roy Bell was seconded, and carried
34GC76 that the following resolution, and all pending amendments, be referred to the Executive Committee for consideration.
Since certain governments engage in programs of relief and development beyond their boundaries, and in so doing use their own and other governmental agencies, national voluntary agencies, but do not use international voluntary agencies; and
Appreciation
MOTION by W. A. Criswell was seconded, and carried 33GC76 that the following resolution be adopted:
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance resolves to place on record, as the European Office of the Baptist World Alliance is transferred from London, England, to Hamburg, Germany, its sincere and warm appreciation of the significant contribution made to the Baptist World Alliance by the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland from its inception and throughout its history,
Appreciation
MOTION was made and seconded, and carried
32GC76 that the following resolution be adopted:
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Melbourne, Australia, resolves
Man’s Stewardship and Survival on This Earth
The Twelfth Baptist World Congress, meeting in Tokyo, Japan, during July 12-18, 1970, notes with deep concern the continuing and increasing lack of economic self-sufficiency suffered by the majority of the inhabitants of the world, particularly those who are citizens of the developing countries.