EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated to add clarity to the closing of the resolution portal.
2023 resolutions portal set to open on April 15
NASHVILLE (BP) – This week’s episode of the Road to New Orleans looks at the process of how resolutions are brought to the messengers at SBC annual meetings. The resolutions portal for the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting opens on April 15.
“I really think that we have a misconception of what a resolution is supposed to be,” said David Sons, chair of the 2023 SBC Committee on Resolutions. “I actually think that resolutions are some of the most important things that we can do coming out of the annual meeting, because the goal of resolutions is really to give the messengers at the annual meeting an opportunity to speak clearly to our convictions as Southern Baptists.”
He believes resolutions should reflect the stance of messengers instead of trying to persuade their opinions.
Sons, who served as a member of the 2022 Committee on Resolutions, says he relies on guiding questions when he considers a resolution.
“Does it promote unity? Does it promote cooperation? Is it offered in a spirit of charity, Christlikeness humility and kindness?” he said.
A lesson he learned from serving on the 2022 committee that was led by Texas pastor and now-SBC President Bart Barber was that the best resolutions are built on Scripture.
“Where do you see the foundation for the resolution that you want to submit in God’s Word? It’s always a great place to begin your resolution there, (by asking), ‘Is my resolution grounded in the Scripture?’”
He said the number of resolutions submitted each year ranges from around a dozen to as many as 40.
Barber appointed the following members to the 2023 Committee on Resolutions:
- Julio Arriola – director, Send Network SBTC and member, Eagles View Church, Fort Worth, Texas
- Dani Bryson – member, First Baptist, Dickson, Tenn.
- Rob Collingsworth – member, Redemption Story Church, Fort Worth, Texas
- Jennifer Cook – member, Second Baptist, Conway, Ark.
- Anthony Dockery – pastor, St. Stephen Baptist Church, La Puente, Calif.
- Kristen Ferguson – member, 11th Street Baptist Church, Upland, Calif.
- Stacy Gaylord – pastor, LifeWay Church, Billings, Mont.
- John David Laing – minister to senior adults, Meadow Brook Baptist Church, Birmingham, Ala.
- David Sons – lead pastor, Lake Murray Baptist Church, Lexington, S.C.
- Malcolm Yarnell – research professor of theology, Southwestern Seminary and teaching pastor, Lakeside Baptist, Granbury, Texas
Resolutions must be submitted before May 30.
2023 SBC Annual Meeting pre-registration tops 5,000
NASHVILLE (BP) – More than 5,000 Southern Baptists have pre-registered as messengers for the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Messengers must still register in person when they arrive, but pre-registration helps in proper planning for the meeting and enables an easier registration process in New Orleans, according to SBC Executive Committee (EC) staff.
“When you pre-register, your church information is confirmed and the on-site registration process takes less than two minutes,” said Jonathan Howe, SBC EC vice president for communications. “Showing up without pre-registering can take much longer and might even lead to lengthy delays if you do not have the required information to be able to register.”
Howe also advises those attending the meeting to book their rooms in advance and to double check their reservations as the meeting approaches.
“Every year we hear stories of messengers showing up not realizing that hotel rooms were not booked or were canceled before the event. Confirm your travel arrangements now to avoid any problems in New Orleans,” Howe said.
There were 8,133 messengers, representing all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. Messengers were joined by 2,856 guests and 1,000 exhibitors, bringing the total attendance to 12,543 with 3,075 churches represented.
The 2023 SBC Annual Meeting is set for June 13-14 at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
