WHEREAS, Scripture clearly teaches and The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 affirms that every human being is made in the image of God and therefore possesses inherent dignity and worth, undiminished by physical, intellectual, or developmental differences (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16; James 3:9); and
WHEREAS, God the Father desires that all would come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and Jesus commands us to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything [He has] commanded . . .” (Matthew 28:19-20); and
WHEREAS, Families of children, youth, and adults with physical, developmental, and intellectual disabilities often face persistent challenges, including social isolation and the physical exhaustion of caregiving; and
WHEREAS, Research suggests that families of those with disabilities are significantly less likely to attend church regularly due to a lack of accessibility, programming, or sense of belonging; and
WHEREAS, Jesus calls us to welcome, love, protect, honor, and serve those devalued and pushed to the margins of society (Leviticus 19:14; Luke 14:12-14; Romans 14:13; 1 Corinthians 12:22-26); and
WHEREAS, Every Southern Baptist church has an opportunity to extend love, hospitality, and pastoral care to those inside the church and gospel witness to those outside the church by providing or expanding spiritual and practical ministry to those with disabilities and their families; and
WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s Disability Ministry Task Force, reporting at the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, calls each church and Southern Baptist Convention entity to the same; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, June 9-10, 2026, call upon churches to welcome joyfully every person regardless of physical, developmental, or intellectual capacity; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call upon Southern Baptists to model speech that is compassionate, truthful, and honoring to fellow image bearers; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we urge Southern Baptist churches of every size and in every community to develop or expand plans for inclusion of children, youth, and adults with disabilities so as to ensure that no family is forced to choose between the particular needs of a family member and the fellowship of the church; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage churches to evaluate their facilities to identify barriers to access for those with physical limitations and to act with hospitality to reduce or eliminate those barriers to the greatest degree practical (Mark 2:1-12); and be it further
RESOLVED, That we exhort our seminaries, entities, state conventions, and associations to highlight the need for churches and their leaders to have the training, skills, and resources needed to care compassionately for families navigating the complexities of special needs; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That by providing excellent care for those with disabilities and their families, our churches will be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ to a watching world to see how Southern Baptists treat all people with dignity and respect.