Messengers to the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans approved nine resolutions, including ones on the legacy and responsibility of women fulfilling the Great Commission, the ethics of artificial intelligence, the office of pastor, and gender transitions.
South Carolina Pastor David Sons, chair of the 2023 SBC Committee on Resolutions, told messengers that 23 resolutions had been properly submitted to the committee for consideration.
Nine were submitted to the messengers for a vote.
Before presenting the resolutions, Sons stressed how they serve local Southern Baptist congregations.
“I believe that the best resolutions are the ones that seek to state Southern Baptist opinion and not shape Southern Baptist opinion,” Sons said. “They help us to clearly articulate what we believe to our local congregations. And the resolution process is an important part of what we do because, in their own unique way, resolutions further our cooperative mission of reaching our neighbors and the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
— On the Legacy and Responsibility of Women Fulfilling the Great Commission
Messengers affirmed the legacy of Southern Baptist women with a resolution thanking God for calling women to fulfill the Great Commission and urging churches to continue equipping them to make disciples.
Southern Baptists celebrated the “multitudes of women” who had served the convention as missionaries, writers, apologists, teachers, mentors and leaders. They also affirmed women’s intrinsic worth, gifting and dignity “for the purpose of His own mission and glory” and honored the work they are currently doing in “homes, churches, communities, and workplaces.”
The resolution asked Southern Baptists to work together to train and support women in disciple-making efforts as they pass on the Christian faith “to the next generation.”
— On the Southern Baptist confessional heritage of the office of bishop/elder/pastor
In the only resolution to pass with significant discussion, the messengers voted to “reaffirm our confessional heritage, grounded in Scripture, and recognize” only two biblical offices, and “to encourage churches to uphold all the biblical qualifications for those who hold either office of bishop/elder/pastor or deacon.”
The body of the resolution describes the history of how Southern Baptists have understood the terms “pastor,” “elder” and “bishop” as interchangeable within the convention’s historically approved statements of faith. The resolution notes that the 1925, 1963 and 2000 versions of the Baptist Faith & Message all describe only two scriptural offices in the church (deacon and bishop/elder/pastor).
— On Artificial Intelligence and emerging technology
In what is believed to be the first denominational statement on the ethics of artificial intelligence, Southern Baptists acknowledged the powerful potential of AI and other emerging technologies. They also expressed a desire “to engage them from a place of eschatological hope rather than uncritical embrace or fearful rejection.”
The resolution also affirmed the Bible’s ability to answer any “ethical challenges, questions, and opportunities” that may emerge from these technologies. In addition, messengers also declared human dignity to be “central to any ethical principles, guidelines, or regulations for any and all uses” of these technologies.
Messengers called on civic, industrial, and government leaders to “develop, maintain, regulate, and use” these technologies with care. Confessing that God alone has the ability to create life, messengers overwhelmingly declared that technology will never be able to “usurp the sovereignty and power of God.”
— On wisely engaging immigration
Messengers approved a resolution affirming the inherent dignity of immigrants and refugees while asking government leaders to maintain robust avenues for asylum seekers to enter the country and take swift action to secure the border.
The resolution said that every immigrant and refugee had inherent value, “regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, culture, national origin, or legal status.” It asked government officials to create both avenues for asylum seekers and a pathway for citizenship.
While asking the government to take efforts to secure the border, the resolution asked for elected officials to provide “adequate resources” for U.S. border patrol “and those working in the immigration system.” In addition, messengers asked federal and state governments to work together to both protect the border and protect the dignity of immigrants.
— On needed care and support for pastors and ministry leaders
Noting the unique challenges facing pastors and ministry leaders in today’s cultural climate, messengers affirmed the importance of caring for pastors and other ministry leaders. The resolution commended associations, state conventions and national entities that were caring for the wellness needs of pastors.
Messengers urged pastors not to suffer in silence but to reach out for help when needed, “both for their own sakes and for the good of those to whom they are called to minister.”
— On the importance of revitalizing and replanting
SBC messengers affirmed efforts to revitalize and replant churches as a key part of fulfilling the Great Commission.
The resolution asked Southern Baptist churches to consider how they can be a part of revitalization efforts by prioritizing “spiritual health, discipleship, and missional engagement of their congregation.” Messengers encouraged offering resources and training opportunities.
— On Christ’s sole Lordship over human conscience
Southern Baptists affirmed the “unqualified, undiminished Lordship of Jesus Christ over every human conscience.”
Messengers emphasized the historical Baptist belief of the priesthood of the believer in the resolution. They also stressed the convention’s historical commitment to religious freedom, opposing any efforts to confuse “the separate covenants and responsibilities of the church and state” and the right of every person to have access to God and form their own religious opinions without interference by civil authorities.
— On opposing “gender transition”
Southern Baptists overwhelmingly affirmed a resolution condemning “gender-affirming care” and all forms of “gender transition interventions.” The resolution called these activities “an assault on God’s created order.”
Southern Baptists also called on legislatures to reverse laws that support “gender transition” and affirmed legislatures that have taken action to protect children from these procedures. They also reaffirmed the rights of parents to “direct the upbringing of their children.”
— Tobin Perry is a writer for Baptist Press.