ORLANDO, Fla.—Southern Baptists adopted a resolution expressing appreciation for bivocational and volunteer pastors.
The Southern Baptist Convention recognized bivocational and volunteer pastors for their faithful service in shepherding churches while balancing ministry, work, and family responsibilities.
The resolution expressed “heartfelt gratitude to Southern Baptist bivocational and volunteer pastors for their faithful and sacrificial service to Christ and his church.”
The resolution urged churches, associations, state conventions, and SBC entities to equip and encourage bivocational and volunteer pastors.
Messengers affirmed these pastors play a vital role in advancing the gospel, often through personal sacrifice and perseverance, particularly in rural, small-town, and underserved communities.
America’s 250th anniversary
Messengers also unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing the 250th anniversary of the United States and the Baptist contribution to religious liberty.
The resolution highlighted rights “given by God and secured by government,” religious liberty, free speech, and the historic role of Baptists in advocating for First Amendment protections.
The resolution affirmed religious liberty as a core Baptist conviction, called on Southern Baptists to pray for national revival and government leaders, and encouraged them to “pursue national renewal through biblically informed civic engagement, including advocating for just laws that are rooted in God’s natural law and consistent with the witness of holy Scripture, and electing public officials who will do the same.”
The measure also acknowledged failures in American history, including slavery, racism, abortion, injustice, and sexual immorality, while emphasizing repentance, reconciliation, and spiritual renewal through Jesus Christ.
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.