2021 Resolutions

WHEREAS, It is estimated that over sixty-one million unborn children have been aborted since the legalization of abortion in 1973 (Roe v. Wade), and

WHEREAS, The Bible clearly and consistently declares that human life is a special and unique creation of God, the only creatures made in His image, and is of the utmost value to God and therefore worthy of honor and dignity (Genesis 1:27; 9:6; James 3:9); and

WHEREAS, The Bible declares that God has established the life of every person from before conception and follows each life through until death (Job 10:8, 14:5; Psalm 116:15, 139:15-16), and

WHEREAS, Both medical science and biblical references indicate that human life begins at conception, and

WHEREAS, Abortion is a serious moral and spiritual problem that has led to the overall devaluation and marginalization of human life at all stages of development, as well as all physical and mental states, and

WHEREAS, The abortion industry has intentionally and disproportionately targeted minorities, as well as the most vulnerable members of our communities, and

WHEREAS, Abortion has included the ongoing assault on human life through the harvesting of human embryos for the purpose of medical experimentation, and

WHEREAS, The 1973 Supreme Court Decision (Roe v. Wade) denied the right of the citizens and legislators of the United States, as well as the Congress of the United Sates, to protect the unborn by law, and

WHEREAS, Tax dollars are deceptively funneled into the abortion industry despite existing laws that prohibit this action (KRS 311.715; Hyde Amendment), and

WHEREAS, The defense of the most vulnerable humans among us is a value that defines both the character and soul of any people (Proverbs 24:11-12), and

WHEREAS, Abortion has left in its wake long-term mental and emotional devastation in the lives and families of those who have undergone the procedure, and

WHEREAS, Christians are called on to be committed to the redemptive ministry of Christ by embracing and supporting those who have experienced abortion, and

WHEREAS, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Kentucky Baptist Convention have consistently stood firm in their support for the authority of the Word of God as our guide for all matters of life, death, and faith, and

WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 affirms that we should “speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death” (Article XV), and

WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 also affirms that “Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love” (Article XV);

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the messengers of the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, November 16, 2021, express our commitment to join ourselves together, in accordance with the revealed will of God through His Word, to focus our efforts to become a friend to the unborn with the ultimate goal of abolishing abortion in Kentucky, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to building awareness among Kentucky Baptists about the practice of abortion, what is not abortion, and alternatives to abortion, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to efforts to build awareness among Kentucky Baptists about the details of the abortion industry in Kentucky (both who is being targeted and how they are being targeted), and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to provide resources to Kentucky Baptist churches so that they will be fully prepared to support and defend the reality that all human life is created in the image of God, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to building awareness among Kentucky Baptists about the social and emotional impacts of abortion and how it devastates individuals and families, so that they are prepared to provide hope and support to all those who have experienced the effects of abortion, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to supporting both local and state political leaders who will be a friend of life as they remain consistent to that conviction, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit on Kentucky Baptist congregations such that we might one day soon see an end to the scourge of legalized abortion in our state and our nation, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to prayerfully continue the battle against the destructive and unbiblical practice of abortion with the ultimate goal being complete abolition.

WHEREAS, Jesus Christ was moved with compassion when He saw that the multitudes were like sheep having no shepherd (Matthew 9:36); and

WHEREAS, Jesus Christ instructed the disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out laborers into His harvest (Matthew 9:38); and

WHEREAS, the majority of Kentucky Baptist churches are served by bivocational pastors; and

WHEREAS, many Kentucky Baptist churches are having great difficulty filling their bivocational pastorate positions; and

WHEREAS, Kentucky Baptists recognize an urgent need for men and women to be called to other appropriate ministry areas; now therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Kentucky Baptists embrace the 3-year Calling Out the Called focus with the primary goal of raising up local men to fill bivocational pastorates, and be it further

RESOLVED, That Kentucky Baptists commit to faithfully pray that the Lord would send laborers into His harvest; and be it further

RESOLVED, That Kentucky Baptists be moved with compassion for churches who have no pastor as demonstrated by their participation in this initiative; and be it further

RESOLVED, That pastors and ministry leaders will teach and preach to all age groups about what it means to be called to pastoral ministry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That pastors and ministry leaders will appeal to listeners in their sermons and conversations to respond to God’s call on their lives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That pastors will seek to mentor those who feel called to ministry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That pastors, associations, and the KBC will provide appropriate training and educational advice for those who are called; and be it further

RESOLVED, That pastors, associations, agencies, institutions, and the KBC will seek to assist the called, connecting them with the ministries to which God has called them.

WHEREAS, Jesus commanded believers to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8); and

WHEREAS, The New Testament affirms the gift of the evangelist (Ephesians 4:11); and

WHEREAS, Philip did the work of an evangelist (Acts 8:4-40), was identified as an evangelist (Acts 21:8), and was associated with specific local churches in Jerusalem and Caesarea (Acts 6:5, Acts 21:8); and

WHEREAS, Paul instructed Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (2 Timothy 4:5); and

WHEREAS, History records many Christians functioning as evangelists of local churches in a variety of capacities including but not limited to missionaries and itinerant preachers; and

WHEREAS, God-called evangelists maintain a close and cooperative relationship with the local church to edify, equip, and build up the fellowship of the saints (Ephesians 4:11-12); and

WHEREAS, Some churches have called biblically qualified men as evangelists to their pastoral staff for the purpose of training in evangelism, evangelistic preaching, and itinerancy; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, November 16, 2021, affirm the ministry of the evangelist as a gift to the church; and be it

RESOLVED, That we desire to see churches utilize the gift of the evangelist through revival meetings, evangelism training seminars, focused evangelistic outreaches, and other Great Commission opportunities; and be it

RESOLVED, That we long to see churches recognize and raise up God-called evangelists from within our congregations to serve the local church as a catalyst for evangelistic faithfulness; and be it

RESOLVED, That we affirm the gift of the evangelist as a crucial asset to our Great Commission efforts around the world.

WHEREAS, it is estimated that over sixty-one million unborn children have been aborted since the legalization of abortion in 1973 (Roe v. Wade), and

WHEREAS, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Kentucky Baptist Convention have consistently stood firm in their support for the authority of the Word of God as our guide for all matters of life, death, and faith, and

WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 affirms that we should “speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death” (Article XV), and

WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 also affirms that “Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love” (Article XV); and

WHEREAS, a number of states have passed laws that limit abortion to one degree or another, and

WHEREAS, it seems clear that the resistance by individuals and organizations to these laws may well lead to the Supreme Court of the United States taking up a case, or cases, that might overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, and

WHEREAS, in response to the possible overturn of Roe v. Wade, some states have attempted to find, within their state constitutions, language that would ensure that abortion remains legal, without a vote of its citizens, and 

WHEREAS, the Kentucky State Legislature approved House Bill 91 on March 30, 2021, which proposes “to create a new section of the Constitution of Kentucky to state that Kentucky’s Constitution does not secure or protect a right to abortion or funding of abortion,” and

WHEREAS, as per Kentucky law, this proposed amendment to the Kentucky State Constitution will be presented for a statewide vote in November 2022; 

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the messengers of the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, on November 16, 2021, express our commitment to join ourselves together, in accordance with the revealed will of God through His Word, to focus our efforts to become a friend to the unborn with the ultimate goal of abolishing abortion in Kentucky, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to building awareness and support among Kentucky Baptists regarding the scope and purpose of the proposed Constitutional Amendment, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit ourselves to provide resources to Kentucky Baptist churches so that they will be fully prepared to support the passage of the proposed Constitutional Amendment, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to supporting both local and state political leaders who will be a friend of life, as they remain consistent to that conviction, and as they support this Constitutional Amendment, and be it further

RESOLVED, That we commit to pray for an outpouring of God’s Spirit on Kentucky Baptist congregations and a movement in the hearts of the citizens of Kentucky such that we might see not only the passage of this Constitutional Amendment, and one day soon see an end to the scourge of legalized abortion in our state and our nation.

WHEREAS, The messengers to the 184^th session of the Kentucky Baptist Convention are a deliberative assembly who are drawn together for the propagation of the gospel; and

WHEREAS, We acknowledge God’s sovereignty and providence in this sacred task; and

WHEREAS, We also acknowledge the kind hospitality of the people of Severns Valley Baptist Church, Elizabethtown, Kentucky; and

WHEREAS, We also express our gratitude to Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory and the members of the city council, and Hardin County Judge-Executive Harry Berry and magistrates, as well as the citizens of Elizabethtown, Kentucky for their gracious welcome; and

WHEREAS, We especially acknowledge the Lord’s grace in enabling our Kentucky Baptist Convention president, officers, various committees, musicians, and other platform personnel to conduct the affairs of this convention with dignity and a Christlike spirit; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, November 16, 2021, express our profound gratitude to the Lord and to all those through whom He is working to bring about an annual meeting characterized by prayer, grace, humility, evangelism, worship, encouragement, unity, and purpose.