Resolution on WMU

                                                                                                                              Vol. VI, No. 3, April 1993

During its 22-24 February meeting the SBC Executive Committee adopted the following resolution.

A Resolution of Concern and Commitment on the Woman's Missionary Union and the Southern Baptist Convention:

WHEREAS, the Woman's Missionary Union has served loyally and effectively as an auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention; and

WHEREAS, the Woman's Missionary Union was established originally for the express purpose of supporting the two mission boards of the Southern Baptist Convention, "disclaiming all intention of independent action;" and

WHEREAS, the Southern Baptist Convention and the Woman's Missionary Union have worked hand-in-hand for the cause of missions at home and abroad for 105 years; and

WHEREAS, the Woman's Missionary Union has led by precept and example in sacrificial support of the missionary cause, promoting and supporting the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for foreign missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for home missions, in continual prayer support of Southern Baptist missionaries, and in the effective teaching and training of women and children for the cause of missions; and

WHEREAS, those offerings have produced millions of dollars in vital support for Southern Baptist missions, and those prayers have sustained dedicated missionaries throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, the Woman's Missionary Union has operated within program statement guidelines approved by the Southern Baptist Convention, is represented on the SBC Executive Committee and the Inter-Agency Council, and is recognized for its vital work in educating, developing, and promoting missions; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Baptist Convention has respected and honored the contributions of the Woman's Missionary Union and seeks to work in close coordination and mutual trust with its auxiliary;

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that we, the members of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, hereby register our deep concern for the Woman's Missionary Union and its future relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention, even as we affirm the long-established role of the Woman's Missionary Union and honor its unique and abiding contributions to this denomination and its missionary cause; and

Be it further RESOLVED, that in light of the historically significant changes announced by the Woman's Missionary Union Executive Board on January 10, 1993, we call upon the Executive Board of the Woman's Missionary Union to make clear its singular cooperation with the Convention and its mission boards and its undivided commitment to the Cooperative Program, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for foreign missions, and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for home missions; and

Be it further RESOLVED, that we express to the Woman's Missionary Union our urgent concern that the exclusive relationship of 105 years which has been so wondrously blessed by God be protected by mutual trust and loyalty; and

Be it further RESOLVED, that we pledge our eager and glad-hearted intention to work with the Woman's Missionary Union, to respect and honor its effective and praiseworthy work, and to affirm its status as auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention, so long as the Woman's Missionary Union pledges its faithful and solitary support of the mission offerings and mission programs of the Southern Baptist Convention and its mission boards.

Be it finally RESOLVED, that this Executive Committee prayerfully supports each agency of the Southern Baptist Convention, each state convention, each state fellowship, and each local church as they decide their response to the changes announced by the Woman's Missionary Union.