We are pleased to share with you the entire set of Resolutions, Manifestos, Messages and Proclamations approved by delegates attending the Baptist World Alliance World Congresses from 1905 through 2015 (the 2020 Congress was postponed to 2021 due to the global pandemic).
Additionally, we are offering the Resolutions and Manifestos approved by the BWA General Council, which meets yearly. The online collection includes the years 1976-2019. The BWA Executive Committee Resolutions are currently being compiled, and a limited number are already accessible. The collection will be expanded over time.
Each Resolution document is in PDF format and seeks to reproduce the original text as closely as possible. This means that language and punctuation may be archaic and not in accordance with contemporary standards of discourse. Spellings of words sometimes are in British English and have been preserved as they were originally published. I am solely responsible for any typographical errors in reproduction, and I would deeply appreciate it if you would share with me any that you may discover.
It is the BWA’s hope that this collection will be useful to scholars, historians, denominational leaders, and clergy. Each document now contains a unique identification number, topical keywords, and four types of citations for academic purposes.
The range of issues covered by the collection is comprehensive, and many of the Resolutions speak to contemporary concerns (such as racism, antisemitism, poverty and war) with multi-cultural wisdom, spiritual integrity, and intellectual depth. Readers seeking to learn how Baptists on a global scale and across time have addressed the human condition in all of its variations (moral, social, economic, political, etc.) will be rewarded as well as challenged.
In Baptist polity, Resolutions and other collective statements are not binding on Baptist individuals or churches. They intend to share wisdom and raise consciousness rather than to demand or coerce conformity or hinder the soul freedom and responsibility of people to follow God according to the dictates of their own Christ-led conscience. In the foreword to the 1955 Golden Jubilee World Congress Official Report (p. 6), BWA General Secretary Arnold T. Ohrn stated this principle well:
If you should need any further assistance in utilizing this online historical archive, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Lee B. Spitzer,
BWA Historian (Click here to contact)
For ease of reference, click one of the buttons below to see resolutions in that category.
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Poverty and the Nations
EXPRESSES concern the effects of drought and patterns of international trade and aid have exacerbated conditions of famine, poverty and disease amongst the many poor and disadvantaged peoples of the nations of the South, not least in the continent of Africa.
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Hong Kong, July 3-9, 1996:
OFFERS sincere thanks to the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong for the warmth of their welcome and the generosity of their hospitality;
ACKNOWLEDGES the gracious welcome to Hong Kong given by President Cecil Chan; and
World Evangelization
REALIZING that over four billion people in our world do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and that one-fourth of the world’s population has never heard the Gospel,
ACKNOWLEDGING the commitment that member bodies of the BWA have made through the Seoul Covenant to world evangelization.
The Continuing AIDS Crisis
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe August 6-9, 1993,
NOTES with alarm that since its last resolution on AIDS in 1988 the number of those infected has reached epidemic proportions in many countries;
Peace in the Middle East
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Vancouver Canada, July 3-9, 1997,
EXPRESSES concern that the Middle East peace process has only partially been implemented and that this threatens the stability of all the states in the region;
Middle East Situation
THANKFUL TO Almighty God for the cessation of open war in Kuwait and Iraq,
MINDFUL of the tragic aftermath of such hostilities in terms not only of loss of life but also of the appalling social and economic conditions prevailing in the Gulf and the long-term threat to the environment caused by oil pollution in both sea and air,
The Sanctity of Human Life
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe August 6-9, 1993,
AFFIRMS that because all life is the gift of God and that every person is created in the image of God, human life is sacred;
Appreciation
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance in Vancouver, Canada, July 3-9, 1997,
ACKNOWLEDGES the gracious efforts of Bruce Milne, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Vancouver, who chaired the Local Arrangements Committee, and Bob Pearmain, assistant chair;
South Africa (1991)
RECALLING the prophetic stance taken by the Baptist World Alliance in its resolutions on South Africa at the World Congress in 1985 and at the General Council in 1986 and 1988,
REAFFIRMING its opposition to apartheid as a sin against the Gospel of God’s love for all people,
Bosnia
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe August 6-9, 1993,
CONDEMNS the deliberate use within the former Republic of Yugoslavia of “ethnic cleansing” and the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war and extends its heart-felt sympathy to the hundreds of thousands of victims;
Landmines
BWA General Council Resolution 1997.3 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 3-9, 1997, NOTES with horror that currently in excess of 100 million anti-personnel land mines are deployed in more than 70 countries, with a...
Appreciation to the Hosts and Officers
The Baptist World Alliance holding its annual meeting of the General Council and related groups in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 7-14, 1991, has brought together Baptists from around the world for worship, fellowship, mutual encouragement, study, and planning.
South Africa (1993)
The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance, meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe August 6-9, 1993,
SENDS greetings to our sisters and brothers in the Baptist and wider Christian community in South Africa;
APPLAUDS the decision to hold multi-racial elections with universal adult suffrage in 1994;
Human Rights
BWA General Council Resolution 1997.1 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Vancouver, Canada, July 3-9, 1997: RECOGNIZES with gratitude that 1998 will mark the 59th anniversary of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights which...
BMS Bicentenary
The founding of the society to promote overseas missions marked the point at which the missionary awakening stimulated by the evangelical revival of the eighteenth century first attained effective institutional expression alerting not only Baptist but the whole of evangelical Christendom to a world-wide vision;
Appreciation
COMMENDS with appreciation the Baptist Heads of Denominations and its secretary, the Rev. Noah Pashapa, for the invaluable and gracious assistance given to the BWA staff in planning and organizing this first-ever BWA gathering in Southern Africa;
Conflict Resolution in Nagaland
RECALLS that In November 1997 the Naga people celebrated the 125th anniversary of the introduction of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in their country by Baptist missionaries;
MOURNS more than fifty years of conflict and civil war In Nagaland, which in the last decade has resulted in the division of the Nagas into multiple factions, with insurgent armies that have engaged In violent conflict with the Indian army and, on occasion, with each other;
Fifth Centennial of the Coming of Columbus and the Europeans to the Americas
THANKS the Union Bautista Latino Americana (UBLA) for the guidance they have provided the Council on what a Christian response should be to the Fifth Centennial of the coming of Columbus and the Europeans to the Americas, and the beginning of a different way of live and thought for the people of the hemisphere;
Rwanda and Burundi
COMMENDS with appreciation the Baptist Heads of Denominations and its secretary, the Rev. Noah Pashapa, for the invaluable and gracious assistance given to the BWA staff in planning and organizing this first-ever BWA gathering in Southern Africa;
Reconciliation
APPLAUDS the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that Is playing an active role in helping to bring healing following the end of apartheid and the establishment of democratic rule in South Africa;
COMMENDS the efforts of South African Baptists led by Desmond Hoffmeister, General Secretary of the Baptist Convention of South Africa, and Terry Rae, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa, and encourages their continuing resolve to work under God’s inspiration and guidance toward a Just reconciliation between these two communities;
Disarmament
We are encouraged by preparations now being made for another Special Assembly of the U.N. General Assembly on the subject of disarmament and recognize the crucial importance of this subject for the future of mankind.
Appreciation
This Council expresses its deepest appreciation:
• to the government of Argentina for its gracious welcome and its readiness to grant visas to all participants;
• to the officers and churches of the Convenciòn Evangèlica Bautista Argentina for the careful preparations, warm welcome, generous hospitality and interpretation service;
Conference on Peace and Harmony
BWA General Council Resolution 1981.6 The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance: Expresses appreciation for the initiative taken by the Church of Sweden (Lutheran) and its Archbishop in calling a Conference on Peace and Disarmament in Sweden in March 1982,...
Nuclear Arms
Once again WE EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND CONCERN over international tensions, the armed conflicts in certain regions, the economic burden of large armaments and armed forces, the threat of nuclear annihilation of humanity;
Resolution on Religious Liberty, Human Rights, World Peace and Public Morality
BWA World Congress Resolution 1975.1 Whereas, in the providence of God, religion and life are joined together, andWhereas, the Bible teaches that God is concerned and leads his people to be concerned about both individuals and society, and Whereas, during the past...
Working with Other Religions and Organizations for World Peace
The Baptist World Alliance, in its continued and determined efforts for world peace with justice, and in its further endeavors to overcome the poverty and suffering of peoples of every nation, is willing to work with other religious groups and organizations toward these ends, doing so in a manner consistent with our Baptist principles and Baptist beliefs.
Sponsoring of Youth Work (1970.6)
Because the Baptist World Alliance has shown concern for Baptist young people throughout the world as evidenced by its sponsorship of Baptist Youth World Conferences, and because young people in this age have developed a keen sense of awareness to the need of applying Christian teachings in practical ministries in efforts to heed the call and commands of Christ,
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2023 Global Impact Day
Global Impact Day Celebrating the Lord's Work through the Baptist World Alliance2023 Global Impact DayWhat a joy it is to serve alongside faithful Baptist brothers and sisters around the world! We greatly value your prayers and faithful partnership with us, and we...
Baptist World Congress Logo Unveiled
In partnership with Australian Baptist Ministries and Queensland Baptists, the BWA is pleased to unveil the 2025 Congress logo designed by a First Nations artist.
BWA Holistic Mission Guide Webinar Registration (Part 3)
Holistic Mission Webinar: Part Three Baptist World Alliance Webinar SeriesBWA Commission on MissionIn response to the global impact of COVID-19 on the mission of the church, the Baptist World Alliance developed and released a Holistic Mission Guide earlier this year...
Baptist World Alliance Appoints Director of Ministries
The Baptist World Alliance selected Jenny Stewart of Australia/United Kingdom as its first Director of Ministries and Chief Operating Officer.
BWA Women to Host Global Day of Prayer Service
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA - October 14, 2022) For more than 70 years, Baptist women around the world have united every November for Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer. This year a new tradition will be added to the historic event as Baptist World Alliance Women (BWA...
2022 BWA Annual Gathering Focused on Racial Justice
(BIRMINGHAM, AL – July 22, 2022) The thematic focus and content development for the Gathering was largely facilitated by the BWA Racial Justice Action Group launched in October 2020 with unanimous affirmation from the BWA Executive Committee. Co-chaired by BWA General Secretary Elijah M. Brown and BWA First Vice President Karl Johnson from Jamaica, the Action Group embarked on a two-year journey
BWA Welcomes New Member Body
Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama, on July 12, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Council unanimously approved the Missionary Baptist Conference, USA (MBC), as the newest member of the global Baptist body.
BWA Presents 2022 Human Rights Award
(BIRMINGHAM, AL – July 17, 2022) On the final day of the 2022 Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Annual Gathering, the BWA presented the 2022 Denton and Janice Lotz Human Rights Award to Daniel L. Buttry. Established in 2006, the annual award is given by the BWA for...
BWA Commissions New Vice President
(BIRMINGHAM, AL – July 17, 2022) Samuel C. Tolbert, Jr. was unanimously elected Vice President for the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) at the global body’s Annual Gathering in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, on Thursday, July 14. The election comes after nominations...
BWA General Council Approves Four Resolutions
(BIRMINGHAM, AL – July 16, 2022) The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) General Council approved four resolutions during their final session of the 2022 Annual Gathering. The first two resolutions addressed the state of war, violence, and political unrest in the...
Baptist World Alliance Launches Global Evangelism Initiatives
Compelled by the Great Commission, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has a longstanding commitment to evangelism, rooted in the call to live out Gospel witness in every place and among all people groups in partnership with other believers.
Executive Committee Releases Statement on Ukrainian Crisis
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, USA – March 25, 2022) In conjunction with its Executive Committee meetings conducted this month, the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Executive Committee has released a joint statement in response to the crisis in Eastern Europe. This is the first statement of its kind released by the Executive Committee in over 40 years.
School of Evangelism – Spanish
Hacer discípulos juntosToda la iglesia llevando todo el evangelio a todo el mundoLa pandemia del COVID-19 ha afectado a innumerables vidas en todo el mundo, una necesidad global que justifica una respuesta global. Al principio de la crisis, la Alianza Mundial Bautista...
School of Evangelism – Portuguese
Juntos Fazendo DiscípulosA igreja toda levando o evangelho todo para o mundo todo A pandemia da COVID-19 impactou inúmeras vidas em todo o mundo - uma necessidade global que justificou uma resposta global. No início da crise, a Aliança Batista Mundial lançou...
Baptist World Alliance Participates in UN Prayer Service
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, USA - March 5, 2022) As part of the Baptist World Alliance’s ongoing commitment to pray for peace in Eastern Europe, BWA leadership participated in a multi-faith prayer meeting entitled “Global Prayers for Ukraine: A Multi-Faith Service for...
Evangelism Month
The BWA leads with a passionate compelling commitment to Gospel witness, through this Evangelism Month in every place and among all people.
Baptist World Alliance Responds to Crisis in Ukraine
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA, USA - February 27, 2022) The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) decries the violence in Eastern Europe and supports the Baptist efforts there to be the light of Christ. In response to the rising tension along the Ukrainian and Russian border, the...
The Scourge of Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a growing crime that "involves an act or recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means for the purpose of exploiting them, " as stated by UN Office on Drugs & Crime....
Major Steps Toward Reconciliation
BWA General Secretary Neville Callam has praised leaders of the Baptist Convention of Kenya (BCOK) for the courageous actions they took during a recent meeting at their national church office in Nairobi. After years of conflict and division, the leaders decided it was...
Baptist World Alliance to Host First Hybrid Annual Gathering
(FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – January 14, 2022) The Baptist World Alliance will partner with Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, to host the 2022 BWA Annual Gathering, a strategic time for Baptists worldwide to gather for prayer, fellowship, learning, and...
2022 Annual Gathering
Baptist leaders’ Annual Gathering from around the world will meet for this powerful time of prayer, fellowship, learning, and planning together.
Moving Beyond the Pandemic
Moving Beyond the Pandemic: Making 2022 CountBaptist World Alliance Forum for Aid and Development (BFAD)How can the church serve faithfully in its context and community in 2022?Many are slipping back into extreme poverty, national governments are weakening because of...
Baptist-Catholic Dialogue Convenes in Durham, North Carolina
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA, USA - December 16, 2021) Participants from around the world gathered December 6-10 for the Baptist-Catholic International Dialogue, a series of strategic bilateral conversations between the Baptist World Alliance (BWA)...
Baptist World Alliance Women Honors Moreen Sharp
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – November 5, 2021) Moreen Sharp concluded her term of service as Baptist World Alliance Women (BWAW) Interim Executive Director on November 1. Stepping into the role in 2016, Sharp has helped the ministry navigate the...
BWA Women to Host Day of Prayer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA – October 29, 2021) Baptist World Alliance Women (BWAW) will host the annual Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer on Monday, November 1. Each year on the first Monday of November, Baptist women around the world gather...
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