July 5, 2005

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. – A Statement of Concern on "Becoming Discipling Communities" was affirmed by delegates July 3, the closing day of the 2005 Biennial Meeting of American Baptist Churches USA in Denver, Colo.

The statement calls "upon American Baptist congregations and communities to:

"provide discipleship opportunities for mentoring new believers who come from secular or non-Christian backgrounds;

"provide teaching and spiritual guidance for the church family as they continue their walk with Jesus;

"provide additional opportunities to practice the disciplines of Bible study, prayer, witness and service;

"support the lifelong spiritual growth of long-time Christians and ministerial leaders through discipling relationships within and beyond the congregational community;

"collaborate with regional and national staff for resources in discipleship training; and

"provide financial support for regional and national staff to develop and make accessible more discipleship resources."

Previously, delegates had approved two Statements of Concern July 2:

"A Call to Responsible Action" urges American Baptists to: "teach and model prayer in both private and public life; become change agents that enable the love of God to be placed in human hearts and not expect any government to assume what is our responsibility; disciple one another in the skill of living a Christ-centered life in secular society; engage in public ministry in their community; advocate our core belief of separation of church and state as inspired by scripture and tradition; study God's Word to discern God's will for Christians in the secular society; address our governments at all levels to refute interference in religious life."

"Re-affirming the Association Principle" calls American Baptists to: "practice the historic Baptist principle of voluntary association at all levels; encourage leaders to foster a variety of ways to work together under the guidance of God; recognize that diversity exists within our American Baptist family and celebrate the many ways we cooperate in service to God; witness that the body of Christ consists of many different members, that not all members are alike, and that each member is necessary for the healthy functioning of the church."

American Baptist News Service