Dear Alabama Baptist Pastor,

In the 16 years that I’ve served as a state missionary, the past several days have, by far, been the most distressing to me as a minister of the Gospel and as an individual Christian. As Alabama Baptists, we’ve been through dark days of concern before — notably, for example, in the aftermath of natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the tornadoes of 2011.

However, a few days ago, a fierce, moral tsunami began sweeping through our state with serious consequences for the spiritual climate of our state and causing damage to the very bedrock of our society—namely biblical marriage, which was formerly the only legally sanctioned form in Alabama.

I wanted to share with you a summary of actions and statements in reaction to these sad changes in our culture.

1. RESOLUTION ON REAFFIRMATION OF BIBLICAL MARRIAGE: A statement adopted unanimously by State Board of Missions trustees on February 6:
   http://ricklance.com/2015/02/06/resolution-on-reaffirmation-of-biblical-marriage/
2. SUGGESTED CHANGES FOR LOCAL CHURCH BYLAWS & POLICIES: Suggestions for guarding your church facilities and staff ministers in light of this new, moral climate in our state and nation:
   http://www.alsbom.org/resources/a-potential-marriage-statement-for-churches/
3. THE CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TASK FORCE REPORT: Should churches continue to vote new members into church membership at the end of worship services? Or are there wiser options that will protect churches in a radically changing society?
   http://www.alsbom.org/blog/the-christian-response-task-force-report/
4. VIDEO STATEMENT: My comments “Concerning the Challenges to the Definition of Biblical Marriage”: 
   http://vimeo.com/118747609
5. BAPTIST PRESS STORY: A summary of some of this week’s news in our state in the wake of federal court mandates regarding marriage licenses:
   http://www.bpnews.net/44201/ala-minister-backs-gay-marriage-enthusiastically
6. STAND STRONG FOR BIBLICAL MARRIAGE: A joint statement with your State Convention President Travis Coleman, Jr., in reaction to some of the news in the Baptist Press story:
   http://ricklance.com/2015/02/10/stand-strong-for-biblical-marriage/

Although much has changed during the past week, some things have not:

• The Great Commission has not changed. We still have a mandate from our Lord to share the Gospel with all people: in Alabama, across our nation and around the world.
• The Bible has not changed. We will continue to faithfully proclaim what the Bible teaches about marriage, human sexuality and the many other concerns of Scripture.
• God has not changed. He is still sovereign, and none of this news took Him by surprise. We will continue to serve Him, love Him and minister to people in His name and for His glory.

If your State Board of Missions staff can help you and your local church, please let us know. Your state missionaries stand ready to serve God by continuing to serve Alabama Baptists. Please pray for us as we pray for you.

Blessings,

Rick Lance
Proverbs 1:7