“For the past three years the Southern Baptist Convention has recognized Arizona as part of its territory. In 1870, the state of Arizona was entered by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of the Northern Baptist Convention, which organization has occupied the field ever since. During all these years the Society has maintained a faithful Baptist testimony, established and maintained churches in strategic centers, and has invested thousands of dollars in salaries, in church buildings, and in equipment.
“The recognition of Arizona as a field of endeavor for Southern Baptists has challenged the aforementioned activities, and has brought to pass by its occupation of the state conditions wholly unfavorable to Baptist work. Division of some churches has taken place because the spirit of sectionalism, and strife has been engendered. In view of these things, it is suggested that the Convention’s relationship to Arizona work be recanvassed and reconsidered, and that the Southern Baptist Convention be asked to determine a definite policy as touching territory already occupied by the Northern Baptist Convention.
“Whereas, a mutual understanding is supposed to exist between the Northern and Southern conventions as to allocation of territory, and
“Whereas, Christian fellowship exists between the two national bodies in the exchange of fraternal delegates, and in membership in the Baptist World Alliance; and
“Whereas, an overlapping of convention interests exists in the state, bringing about a duplication of effort and a waste of money; and
“WHEREAS, every Baptist church in Arizona in affiliation with the Northern Baptist Convention is Baptistically sound and loyal to the faith once for all delivered; and
“WHEREAS, The American Baptist Home Mission Society has been at work in this state for fifty years and has always in its long history recognized territory occupied by the Southern Baptist Convention, therefore, be it
“RESOLVED, that a memorial be prepared by the executive committee of the Arizona Baptist Convention to present to the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, calling for the appointment of a special committee for the purpose of reconsidering the Southern Baptists’ relationship to the state and its work. It is hoped that by the work of such a committee such action will be taken as to promote a better understanding between the two great national conventions. It ought to be plainly understood by all that there is no more scriptural or moral or ethical reason why Southern Baptists should be at work in this state than there is that Northern Baptists should be at work in territory already occupied by them.”
ADOPTED
WHEREAS the Baptists of America, meeting in this city as the Triennial Convention in 1823 formulated the plan which resulted in the organization of all of our State Conventions.
WHEREAS the two Conventions whose several constituencies represent geographical rather than fundamental distinctions, are now again assembled in this historic city to reaffirm their adherence to the faith of our fathers and to solemnly proclaim the maintenance of distinctive Baptist principles grounded upon New Testament; and,
WHEREAS in this crucial hour of world history the challenge comes anew with compelling force on the part of our denomination to make its contribution by reaffirming the fundamental spiritual unity of all Baptists; and
WHEREAS our common task through different instrumentalities is the establishment and proclamation of Christianity in this nation and throughout the world:
Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the President of this Convention be and he is hereby authorized and empowered and directed to appoint a Committee of five for the purpose of cooperation with a similar Committee of the Northern Baptist Convention to the end that a full appraisement and inquiry may be made as to how far and to what extent there may be found close Christian cooperation on the part of the two Conventions, looking to the more effective consummation of a world program, to which in the providence of God, we stand committed.
And BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the appointment of a similar Committee on behalf of the Northern Baptist Convention would be regarded by this Convention as a fraternal and friendly act, thus making possible a report of these two Committees, either jointly or severally, to the next meeting of the respective Conventions for such action as each Convention may be advised after the bringing in and consideration of such report.