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On Contextual And Cultural Awareness For Ministry


WHEREAS, The Great Commission calls us under the Lordship of Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations, to baptize them in the name of the Triune God, and to teach them all that Jesus commanded us to believe, obey, and do (Matthew 28:18–20); and

WHEREAS, Obedience to the Great Commission requires the cultivation of competency and proficiency in contextual and cultural awareness; and

WHEREAS, Southern Baptist seminaries and entities offer world-class ministry preparation for pastors, missionaries, ministry leaders, administrators, professors, and counselors for a diverse world; and

WHEREAS, Ministers and ministry leaders benefit greatly from exposure to the history and the contributions of Christians from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds (Proverbs 27:17); and

WHEREAS, Without such equipping, ministers and ministry leaders may lack the cultural awareness to appropriately minister the gospel to people in their own circumstances (Ezekiel 3:12–15; John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:19–20); and

WHEREAS, Because the Southern Baptist Convention has been historically monolithic with respect to domestic ministry, preparation often occurs with limited access and awareness to contextual and cultural dynamics; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, June 11–12, 2019, commit ourselves anew to the fulfillment of the Great Commission; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm that fulfillment of the Great Commission requires proficiency in contextual and cultural awareness for effective gospel ministry in the twenty-first century; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm and celebrate every current effort that our seminaries, entities, and churches undertake to resource and equip ministers of the gospel for effective ministry; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge our seminaries, entities, and churches to equip ministers and ministry leaders to be able to discern how culture and contexts shape ministry methods and strategies; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That by God’s grace and power, with these proficiencies, our ministers and ministry leaders will be better equipped to reach people from every tribe, tongue, and nation, both domestic and abroad, with the gospel of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:8; Revelation 5:9; 7:9).