Alabama Baptists call for end to racial prejudice statewide

Alabama Baptists meeting at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 19-20 called for changes in the Alabama constitution and state laws regarding racial fairness.

Charles T. Carter, a former pastor and co-author of the resolution, said he hopes to speed up efforts of racial unity across the state of Alabama.

"We want to do everything we can to eliminate racial prejudice in our state," he said.

The resolution, which passed without debate, requests that the Alabama state legislature and officials consider amending public laws and documents so that no racial minority is denigrated or embarrassed by exclusive language, and that language of racial inclusiveness be the standard for all future laws and documents. It also asks that Alabama Baptists do all in their power to assure that Alabama seeks to have a record of racial fairness.

Joe Godfrey, pastor of Taylor Road Baptist Church in Montgomery, was elected in the first contested president's race since 1998.

"I want us to be a cooperative body of believers ... and focus on the commonality of believers, not what we don't like about each other," Godfrey said following his election.

Alabama messengers approved a base Cooperative Program budget of $40,427,480, a 3 percent increase over last year, and a special offering goal of $16,575,000. A Cooperative Program challenge budget of $42,427,480 was overwhelmingly approved.

Gary Hollingsworth, chairman of the state board of missions and pastor of First Baptist Church in Trussville, said the board affirms the Cooperative Program as the best mechanism for receiving missions gifts from churches. "Alabama has the purest definition of a Cooperative Program dollar of any state convention in the Southern Baptist Convention," he said. "The board affirms a strong position of fiscal responsibilities by our messengers."

A resolution about Alabama Baptist unity passed after some discussion. In affirming that unity, the resolution recognized that "differences of biblical interpretation do exist and the freedom to influence others and to band together for a common cause is proper and helpful in keeping our Baptist family in unity."

The resolution encourages "open dialogue in the Baptist family" and affirms "the commitment of our Alabama Baptist churches to remain committed to evangelism and mission, education and ministry.

In other resolutions, messengers honored Alabama Baptist leaders who died in the past year, including W.A. Criswell; reaffirmed opposition to gambling of any form, specifically the lottery; and opposed the action of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in removing the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance. (BP)