RESOLUTIONS

Passed at the 2014 General Assembly of the CBF

 

 

WHEREAS the historical protestant reformation movement is a powerful source of inspiration for our longing for freedom from religious oppression; and

 

WHEREAS we affirm the Word of God as light to our feet as we walk in step with the Spirit; and

 

WHEREAS we affirm that we are saved by grace through faith,

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the CBF encourage the study of the Reformation Movement and celebration of the 500^th Anniversary of the movement in 2017.

 

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WHEREAS the Baptist Convention of Guyana and the Guyana Missionary Baptist Church have worked together to host the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship General Assembly; and

 

WHEREAS much effort, time and resources have been expended in the preparation and execution of the meeting; and

 

WHEREAS the quality of the presentations have been of a very high standard; and

 

WHEREAS the Baptists of Guyana have demonstrated great hospitality,

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates in attendance at the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship General Assembly meeting in Guyana express their sincere thanks and profound gratitude and appreciation for a job well done.

 

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WHEREAS the president, executive secretary/treasurer and administrator of the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship have made great sacrifices in the preparation for and execution of the General Assembly being held in Guyana; and

WHEREAS they have carried out their responsibilities at a very high standard,

BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates in attendance at the General Assembly register their profound thanks and appreciation and appreciation to these leaders.

 

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WHEREAS we live in a fallen world as a result of sins when it entered the world as a result of Adam’s disobedience; and

 

WHEREAS because of sin we are subject to many kinds of diseases and illnesses; and

 

WHEREAS many of our sister countries are affected by the Chikungunyah disease; and

 

WHEREAS many of our members have suffered and are suffering from Chikungunyah,

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the CBF express concern, prayers and solidarity with member countries which have been affected and are being impacted by the disease.

 

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WHEREAS our Lord Jesus Christ, before His crucifixion, prayed for us that we would be united as He and the Father are one; and

 

WHEREAS we, as Baptists, believe and accept this teaching of Jesus which encourages our members to live in love and harmony; and

 

WHEREAS there are multiple Baptist unions, associations, conventions and other bodies existing in one member country; and

 

WHEREAS these groups worship the same Lord and uphold the same doctrine,

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship continue to work with these groups to bring about greater unity for the advancement of the kingdom of God.

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WHEREAS racism has been a systematic and personal problem within Guyana; and

 

WHEREAS the CBF is committed to freedom and justice for all peoples and, therefore, is committed to the eradication of racism in Guyana and throughout the rest of the Caribbean; and

 

WHEREAS it takes significant change, learning, time, and healing to eradicate racism; and

 

WHEREAS it takes significant attitudinal and systemic change to learn and to incorporate the gifts and contributions of the different racial-ethnic persons within the church’s ministry, structures and mission,

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the CBF work with Baptists in Guyana to develop a strategy and programme which educate and support systemic and personal changes to end racism and promotes racial equality.

 

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WHEREAS freedom from domestic violence is a fundamental human right; and

WHEREAS it is a responsibility of the church and national and local governments to secure this human right on behalf of its citizens; and

WHEREAS the deafening and disabling silence that has surrounded the domestic violence must be broken; and

WHEREAS there are overwhelming numbers of women and children in our churches and communities who are being battered, raped, emotionally and psychologically abused, physically and sexually assaulted; and

WHEREAS these assaults are taking place in every racial composition and every economic status - in rural areas as well as cities; and

WHEREAS Jesus' concern for the victims is seen in the story of “the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25-7), which concludes with the words: "Go and do likewise^.'; and,

WHEREAS the church must examine the theological messages it communicates in light the experiences of victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse,

BE IT RESOLVED that CBF affirm the family as the basic human community through which persons are nurtured and sustained in mutual love, responsibility and respect; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CBF encourage Baptist churches in the region to commit to listen to the stories of battered spouses, rape victims, abused children, adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and all others who are violated and victimized, and provide leadership in responding with justice and compassion to the presence of domestic violence and sexual abuse among its membership and within the community at large.

 

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WHEREAS God has granted us a beautiful earth; and

WHEREAS we are called by the Creator to be good stewards in order to preserve it; and

WHEREAS it is being destroyed by pollution of various kinds which threaten our survival,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship encourage member body churches to embrace our responsibility to better management of the environment through responsible behaviour and appropriate education in accordance with Biblical principles.