Equality of souls lifted up with passage of resolution
OSAGE BEACH – Messengers at Tan-Tar-A during the 173rd annual meeting of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) approved six resolutions during the annual meeting.
Messengers overwhelmingly passed a resolution recognizing the 150th anniversary of the infamous Dred Scott decision. In 1857, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Scott, a St. Louis slave, and all other blacks were not and could not become U.S. citizens. In effect, it denied them their humanity. The St. Louis Metro Baptist Association and the Southern Baptist Convention both recently passed similar resolutions.
The resolution’s author, Jim Goforth, pastor of New Life Baptist Church in Florissant, said it was not so much intended as an apology for racism as it was a recognition that all souls are equal before God and Christians have an obligation to seek them out.
“All of us actively or passively support this decision when we fail to reach out to anyone because of their race, station in life or their ability,” he said.
A resolution titled Encouraging Family Worship, submitted by Scott Weldon, pastor of Faith Southern Baptist Church in Marshfield, calls on parents to take the lead in the spiritual development of their children. It passed unanimously after being “strengthened” by a motion from the floor. The strengthened paragraph reads: “Whereas, youth and children’s ministries should not be the sole or primary source of teaching and training of young people in the ways of God.”
Abram Messer, a messenger from First Baptist Church, Festus-Crystal City, submitted two resolutions, the first concerning state and local governments as they endeavor to tighten regulations on the spread of pornography in Missouri. The second calls for a restriction of gambling. Both passed unanimously.
Messengers also passed a measure supporting Missouri Cures Without Cloning (see related story) and one brought up from the floor denouncing the use of alcohol (see related story).