5 resolutions to be voted on by messengers at Annual Meeting in Paducah

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) - Messengers to the Kentucky Baptist Convention's Annual Meeting Nov. 12 will be voting on five resolutions at First Baptist Church in Paducah.

Resolutions range from the traditional one recognizing the host church and city to forceful resolutions on pre-marital cohabitation in Baptist churches, a concern over expanded access to chemical abortion in Kentucky, a resolution on how Kentucky Baptists should engage in the political process and one that recognizes the centennial celebration of the Southern Baptist Convention Cooperative Program in 2025.

"Kentucky Baptists are well served by their Committee on Resolutions. Committee Chairman Jason Burnett did an excellent job of leading the committee in their thorough consideration of each resolution presented," said Todd Gray, executive director-treasurer of the KBC. "Their goal was to bring a slate of resolutions to the messengers of the annual meeting in Paducah that Kentucky Baptists would be resolved about. I believe they have done that successfully."

• A resolution on the prevalence of pre-marital cohabitation in Baptist churches exhorts the leadership of its cooperating churches to engage in a "bold confrontation of this growing threat to our public witness and to the spiritual safety of those entrusted to our care." Reject any notion that setting this standard in any way dilutes the human flourishing or ultimate happiness of any human being, but rather brokers for humanity a manifold blessing through alignment to God's creation order and his design for the benefit of all.

• On access to chemical abortion in Kentucky. Expresses concern over continued proliferation of chemical abortion medication throughout Kentucky at the hands of out-of-state actors who knowingly circumvent state law and to urge state leaders to take steps to prevent any access of chemical abortion in the Commonwealth.

• On Christians and the political process. Condemning all acts of political violence and the use of language or actions that intend to demean, belittle, or exercise hatred to any person; and be it further. Committing to pray for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels and as we engage in political arena, we are to love our neighbor in action and speech and vote our convictions according to Scripture and for God's glory.

• On appreciation to the host city for the Annual Meeting. We express our gratitude to Mayor George Bray and the members of the Paducah Board of Commissioners, Judge Executive Craig Z. Clymer and the McCracken County Fiscal Court, as well as the citizens of Paducah, Kentucky, for their gracious welcome.

• Resolution on the Centennial Anniversary of the SBC Cooperation program. Committing Kentucky Baptists to the celebration and promotion of the Cooperative Program within our churches, associations, and entities in its 100^th year.