Editor’s note: Full-text versions of the resolutions adopted Nov. 11 by SCBC messengers can be read here.

South Carolina Baptist Convention messengers adopted a slate of resolutions Nov. 11 reaffirming support for biblical marriage, urging elected officials to combat Christian persecution, and encouraging congregations to become more vigilant in protecting victims of abuse and neglect.

Messengers also approved resolutions on promoting pastoral health, remembering the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, and expressing appreciation to retiring SCBC executive director-treasurer Jim Austin and to those who helped plan and lead this year’s annual meeting.

The resolutions were offered for messengers’ consideration by the convention’s Resolutions Committee.

Assault on Biblical Marriage

Noting “alarming trends” around the country in which marriage increasingly is no longer defined as the union of one man and one woman and where “a significant chance exists that places of worship … will face a wide array of predicaments putting them at odds with their traditionally held beliefs on homosexuality,” messengers urged churches to take a “proactive role in addressing the assaults on biblical marriage.”

The resolution encourages pastors to “speak boldly from their pulpits affirming the clarity and coherency of Scripture on unpopular cultural issues” and suggests that churches examine their governing documents and consider including language that affirms a biblical definition of marriage as a way to “alleviate any unforeseen risks.”

The resolution also asks Christians to pray for the judicial branch to “interpret laws that were enacted by the will of the people, and not simply legislate from the bench those views that have been celebrated by a vocal minority.”

Christian Persecution

With pastor Saeed Abedini and other Christians around the world “experiencing imprisonment, enslavement, torture, martyrdom, and other forms of persecution for sharing their faith,” messengers called on public officials to elevate religious liberty to a high priority and urged pastors and church leaders themselves to become more aware of the problem.

“God has granted religious freedom as a right that those in power are to recognize, not a privilege that they can grant,” the resolution states.

Domestic and Child Abuse

Noting that there are 36,000 instances of domestic abuse in South Carolina every year and that the state “sees a significant number of fatalities and injuries involving children,” messengers encouraged churches to consider enacting ministries that provide support and shelter for victims of abuse and neglect while “prophetically administering the Gospel to those who are the aggressors.”

The resolution also calls on governmental agencies and elected officials to take steps to ensure that “the vulnerable amongst us are protected from, and ministered to, after leaving dangerous situations.”

Pastoral Health

Because South Carolina traditionally has experienced high rates of pastor suicide and forced pastor terminations in churches, messengers approved a resolution calling for increased awareness of the importance of a pastor’s mental, physical and spiritual health, as well as his financial well-being.

The resolution encourages pastors to monitor their own health and to reach out to fellow pastors for prayer, support and fellowship. The resolution also calls on churches to “pursue a biblical approach to personnel matters” and for congregations and pastors to take advantage of sabbaticals and renewal opportunities.

50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

Messengers adopted a resolution recalling the landmark 1964 legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin and reaffirming the “historic action of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1965 to call for ‘peaceful compliance with the law ensuring equal rights for all.’ ”

The resolution expresses thanks to God for increased racial and ethnic diversity within the South Carolina Baptist Convention and calls on Christians to “pray and labor for the day when our Lord will set all things right and racial prejudice and injustice will be no more.”

Appreciation for Dr. Jim Austin

Messengers endorsed a resolution expressing “sincere gratitude to God” for the life and ministry of Jim Austin, who retired as SCBC executive director-treasurer on Oct. 7. The resolution noted Austin’s passion for church planting, evangelism, and partnering in missions and spoke of his “deep love” for South Carolina’s churches and pastors, as evidenced by his personal contact and prayerful support.

Appreciation

Messengers expressed appreciation to host church, Shandon Baptist, the officers and staff of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and the platform personalities and musicians for “their motivational leadership before us” at the 2014 annual meeting.