We are pleased to share with you the entire set of Resolutions, Manifestos, Messages and Proclamations approved by delegates attending the Baptist World Alliance World Congresses from 1905 through 2015 (the 2020 Congress was postponed to 2021 due to the global pandemic).
Additionally, we are offering the Resolutions and Manifestos approved by the BWA General Council, which meets yearly. The online collection includes the years 1976-2019. The BWA Executive Committee Resolutions are currently being compiled, and a limited number are already accessible. The collection will be expanded over time.
Each Resolution document is in PDF format and seeks to reproduce the original text as closely as possible. This means that language and punctuation may be archaic and not in accordance with contemporary standards of discourse. Spellings of words sometimes are in British English and have been preserved as they were originally published. I am solely responsible for any typographical errors in reproduction, and I would deeply appreciate it if you would share with me any that you may discover.
It is the BWA’s hope that this collection will be useful to scholars, historians, denominational leaders, and clergy. Each document now contains a unique identification number, topical keywords, and four types of citations for academic purposes.
The range of issues covered by the collection is comprehensive, and many of the Resolutions speak to contemporary concerns (such as racism, antisemitism, poverty and war) with multi-cultural wisdom, spiritual integrity, and intellectual depth. Readers seeking to learn how Baptists on a global scale and across time have addressed the human condition in all of its variations (moral, social, economic, political, etc.) will be rewarded as well as challenged.
In Baptist polity, Resolutions and other collective statements are not binding on Baptist individuals or churches. They intend to share wisdom and raise consciousness rather than to demand or coerce conformity or hinder the soul freedom and responsibility of people to follow God according to the dictates of their own Christ-led conscience. In the foreword to the 1955 Golden Jubilee World Congress Official Report (p. 6), BWA General Secretary Arnold T. Ohrn stated this principle well:
If you should need any further assistance in utilizing this online historical archive, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer,
BWA Historian (Click here to contact)
For ease of reference, click one of the buttons below to see resolutions in that category.
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Baptist World Alliance Announces COVID-19 Response Plan
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Baptist World Alliance is launching Standing Together: A Global Response Plan. This initiative will mobilize its global network to take action.
Baptist Union of Great Britain Unites in Prayer
On April 1, Baptist World Alliance President Paul Msiza joined with Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) General Secretary Lynn Green in a time of prayer for the nation and the world.
Indian Baptists Minister Amid Lockdown
by Brian Kaylor (President, Word & Way) As coronavirus started growing in the world’s second-most populous country, India’s government responded March 24 with a nationwide lockdown to prevent the pandemic’s spread in the congested country — a disruptive response...
Baptist World Alliance Postpones 22nd Baptist World Congress
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the Baptist World Alliance has engaged in a comprehensive assessment of plans for the 22nd Baptist World Congress scheduled for July 2020.
Baptist World Alliance Issues Global Call for Prayer
In response to the growing impact of COVID-19 around the world, the Baptist World Alliance calls on the global Baptist family to join together for a 24-hour prayer marathon.
Baptist World Alliance Hires New Director
Following an extensive global search, the Baptist World Alliance has appointed Everton Jackson to serve as Director of Integral Mission. Jackson will focus on the core ministry area of evangelism and mission.
Honoring the Life and Legacy of Long-time Baptist World Aid Director Paul Montacute
Paul Montacute, 22-year veteran staff member of the Baptist World Alliance passed away February 20 at the age of 73. The BWA calls upon Baptists around the world to pray for his family.
Honoring the Legacy of General Secretary Emeritus Denton Lotz
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA - April 23, 2019) Today Rev. Dr. Denton Lotz, General Secretary Emeritus of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and faithful servant of the LORD, died at his home in Forestdale, Massachusetts, USA, at the age of 80. The...
Baptist World Alliance Mobilizes Response to Hurricane Dorian
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – September 10, 2019) Hurricane Dorian is one of the strongest and longest-lasting storms on record in the Atlantic, claiming the lives of at least 45 people and leaving an estimated 70,000 homeless.
Baptist World Alliance Announces Director of Integral Mission Position
Baptist World Alliance Announces Director of Integral Mission Position Invites Global Applicants for New Staff Role (FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – September 6, 2019) The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is accepting applicants for a new full-time position: Director of Integral Mission (DIM).
BWA Responds to Cyclone Idai
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – March 29, 2019) Cyclone Idai, regarded as one of the worst tropical cyclones on record, continues to cause devastation across southern Africa with Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi the most significantly affected.
Baptist World Alliance Launches Expanded Horizons Program
Falls Church, VA – The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is expanding the HORIZONS Youth and Children’s Worker Program to its worldwide network.
BWA named ‘2018 Top-Rated Nonprofit’ by GreatNonprofits
Falls Church, VA – The Baptist World Alliance announced today it has been named a “2018 Top-Rated Nonprofit” by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews of charities and nonprofits.
Baptist-Catholic International Dialogue
Twenty participants from around the world gathered on December 10-14, 2018, for the second meeting in the third phase of the Baptist-Catholic International Dialogue, a series of strategic ecumenical conversations between the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
BWA Responds to Arrest of Baptist Leader in Venezuela
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – February 6, 2019) In response to the recent arrest of Baptist leader Gregory José Pérez, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is mobilizing efforts to connect with government authorities to encourage his release as well as providing financial resources to local ministries that are responding to needs of Venezuelans, both within the country and displaced refugees in neighboring nations.
Baptists responding to Lombok earthquakes
JAKARTA, Indonesia — Earthquakes that shook the Indonesian island of Lombok over the past week have resulted in at least 430 deaths, and the government is estimating economic losses in excess of several hundred million dollars.
12 earn Christian leadership certificates in Zurich
ZURICH, Switzerland — Twelve Baptists from eight nations earned the Certificate in Christian Leadership during the Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering July 1-6 in Zurich in a new leadership development effort of BWA’s Division of Mission, Evangelism, and Justice.
BWA speaks on religious liberty, women, immigrant families
ZURICH, Switzerland – Advocating for religious liberty in eastern Ukraine, protecting women and girls, and keeping immigrant families together were the focus of resolutions approved by the Baptist World Alliance General Council in Zurich July 2-6.
BWA president Paul Msiza emphasizes that the church belongs to God
ZURICH, Switzerland — Paul Msiza, president of the Baptist World Alliance, stressed in his report to the BWA General Council that “a church can never be an institution owned by human beings.” The church “belongs to God.”
BWA leader recalls the past, challenges for the future in opening remarks
ZURICH, Switzerland — Elijah Brown stressed the power of Scripture to transform lives and the importance of building bridges as he welcomed the global Baptist community to the historic city of Zurich Tuesday, July 3, in his opening remarks to the Baptist World Alliance General Council.
Nigerian youth leader dies
The All Africa Baptist Youth Fellowship marked three days of mourning June 5-7 after the death of Francis Iliya Bakut, the national president of the Nigeria Baptist Convention Youth Conference. Bakut died June 4 after bringing fraternal greetings at the opening of the...
Henry completes service as BWA communications associate
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- Eron Henry, associate director of communications for the Baptist World Alliance, has completed his time with the umbrella organization for Baptists after 12 years of faithful service. Henry is originally from Jamaica. “Countless lives were...
Freedom of Religion or Belief for All
One of the strategic ways Baptist World Alliance actively advocates for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) for All is through our representatives to the United Nations. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, reads as follows: Everyone has the right...
Russian-language church in Virginia moves into first building
By Ferrell Foster The gospel is being preached in Russian each week in a suburb outside Washington, D.C., USA, and the church recently moved into its first building after 16 years of ministry. Pastor Victor Visotsky has led the congregation, New Life Russian Church,...
BWA Partners for New Position to Work with an Emerging Generation
FALLS CHURCH, Va. -- The Baptist World Alliance has named Jeff Carter director of Horizons and Congress Mobilization. This new position is part of a partnership with Canadian Baptist Ministries and enhances the commitment and capacity of the BWA to work with an...
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