FIRST PERSON: Coming alongside Southern Baptist churches

By Brent Leatherwood
Correspondent

As the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention, I am excited to share with you the various ways we are committed to coming alongside Southern Baptist churches like yours.

Our goal is to help you think biblically about the cultural issues of our time by providing resources that are rooted in the Gospel. Our commitment to assisting Southern Baptist churches is rooted in the unwavering truth of God’s Word and his gracious gospel.

We strive to be a trusted voice for you and your congregation as you navigate the challenging issues of our day.

I encourage you to explore our website and take advantage of these valuable resources. Thank you for allowing us to serve your church and represent your interests on Capitol Hill, before the courts, and in culture.  Here are some items that I think you will find particularly helpful:

— Light Magazine. Our in-house magazine provides in-depth articles, interviews, and thought-provoking content on a range of topics relevant to Southern Baptist churches. I encourage you to explore our past issues where you can access content on pursing a culture of life, human dignity around the world, and being salt and light in the public square.

— Policy. We have identified four key policy areas where our Commission is uniquely positioned to provide a distinctly Baptist voice in the public square on behalf of our convention.

Our team continually produces insightful content and analysis in these areas, enabling you to stay informed and engaged. Visit our website to explore the extensive resources available in these policy areas: Religious Liberty, Life, Human Dignity, and Marriage and Family.

— Christian Ethics Primer Series. We understand that navigating complex moral and ethical issues can be challenging. That’s why we have developed our Christian Ethics Primer Series, which provides concise yet comprehensive guides on a variety of topics. These primers serve as valuable resources for you and your congregation.

— Digital Downloads. Over the years, we have compiled a library of digital downloads that cover a wide range of subjects, from guidance regarding religious liberty to cultural engagement strategies. These resources are readily accessible on erlc.com, allowing you to equip yourself and your church community with relevant information and practical tools.

— The Importance of Bylaws. The ERLC worked with Alliance Defending Freedom to create a resource guide for churches to update their bylaws in light of challenges related to sexual orientation and gender identity lawsuits.

Included are the five areas where churches can provide clear frameworks outlining their faith and religious convictions to protect themselves so that they can continue in ministry that is faithful to God’s Word and brings about Gospel transformation. Download your copy here.

— A Theological Framework of Sex and Gender. We live in an age experiencing the disastrous effects of the sexual revolution. Confusion over basic concepts such as man, woman, and marriage are but the latest divergence between a culture committed to radical individual autonomy and a church committed to Scripture’s teaching.

Local congregations daily face questions of gender dysphoria, same-sex unions, and on basic concepts of what it means to be a man or woman. The ERLC seeks to equip pastors and ministry leaders to answer those questions in light of Scripture’s clear teachings with resources like these and future projects. Download your copy here.

Opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, The Baptist Record, nor the publication’s Advisory Committee. The author may be contacted by clicking here.