WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have not always clearly stood for racial justice and equality; and
WHEREAS, The growth in the racial and ethnic population of Southern Baptist life is a strong indicator of our growing diversity; and
WHEREAS, The Bible affirms that all people are created in the image of God and are therefore equal; and
WHEREAS, All people need a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ;
Therefore, be it RESOLVED, That we, the messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 13-15, 1989, affirm our intention of standing publicly and privately for racial justice and equality.
Be it further RESOLVED, That we repent of any past bigotry and pray for those who are still caught in its clutches; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we bear witness to the devastating impact of racism; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we call upon individual Southern Baptists, as well as our churches, to reach across racial boundaries, establishing fraternal rather than paternal friendships; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptist churches to observe Race Relations Sunday; and
Be it further RESOLVED, That our agencies and institutions seek diligently to bring about greater racial and ethnic representation at every level of Southern Baptist institutional life; and
And be it finally RESOLVED, That we as Southern Baptists renew our commitment to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with every individual in obedience to the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20).