2022 RESOLUTION I

Gratitude for Retiring Executive Director Dr. David Hardage

WHEREAS Dr. David Hardage effectively served Baptists for over four decades as an executive leader, pastor, and interim pastor; and

WHEREAS Dr. Hardage has served Texas Baptists as Executive Director since January 2012 and will retire December 2022; and

WHEREAS he previously served as Director of Development for Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary; and

WHEREAS he served as Director of the Waco Baptist Association; and

WHEREAS he previously served as pastor of First Baptist Church Sulphur Springs, Texas; First Baptist Church Weatherford, Oklahoma; First Baptist Church Holliday, Texas; First Baptist Church Blum, Texas; and as interim pastor at multiple churches; and

WHEREAS Kathleen Hardage has served alongside David prayerfully and faithfully through all these endeavors;

BE IT RESOLVED that the messengers to the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Waco express overwhelming gratitude to Dr. and Mrs. Hardage for their service to Christ through his work, leading and guiding Texas Baptists for more than a decade; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we affirm Dr. Hardage’s vision for a GC2 movement emphasizing the Great Commission and the Great Commandment in Texas Baptists churches as an expression of faith, love, and commitment to God; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Texas Baptists are exceedingly appreciative for Dr. and Mrs. Hardage’s commitment to the work of God in and through the local church.

2022 RESOLUTION II

Cultural Engagement

WHEREAS we recognize the tendency of contemporary cultural engagements to focus more on divisive, condemning rhetoric at the expense of the grace, truth, and love that characterize the gospel;

BE IT RESOLVED that Texas Baptists, standing on God’s Word, will seek to follow the way of Jesus in how we engage our culture with God’s grace, truth, and love.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Texas Baptists will strive to avoid cruel jokes, mockery, and belittling language as we articulate our biblical convictions.

2022 RESOLUTION III

Religious Liberty

WHEREAS government has a God-ordained purpose; and

WHEREAS God has not authorized government to coerce the worship of Christ; and

WHEREAS there is state-sanctioned persecution of Christians and other religious groups across the world; and

WHEREAS Baptists historically have been committed to religious liberty and the separation of church and state;

BE IT RESOLVED, Texas Baptists affirm the historic tenets of religious liberty and will not seek to use government to coerce the worship of Christ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Texas Baptists will not support any attempt by government to commandeer the church for political ends or any attempt by government to favor one religion over another.
2022 RESOLUTION IV

Appreciation of Hosts

WHEREAS, churches and members of Waco Regional Baptist Association have been gracious hosts for the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Waco; and

WHEREAS, Texas Baptists as a whole desire to affirm the work of Baptists in the Waco area; and

WHEREAS, The City of Waco, the Waco Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Texas-Waco Convention Center, and Visitors Bureau have provided hospitality, assistance, and a friendly welcome;

BE IT RESOLVED that the messengers to the 2022 Annual Meeting of the Baptist General Convention of Texas in Waco express their appreciation to the churches and members of Waco Regional Baptist Association; and

BE IT RESOLVED that the messengers express special thanks to the city of Waco, the Waco Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Texas-Waco Convention Center, and Visitors Bureau; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we express our gratitude to the members of the Committee on Annual Meeting and their important contributions.