Mission Resolution introduced at Assembly 

Members of the Baptists Together Mission Forum introduced a proposed Mission Resolution at the Baptist Assembly, designed to build a shared understanding of mission across the movement

This marks the beginning of a two-year process of discernment, dialogue, and engagement, with the goal of the resolution being adopted at the 2027 Baptist Assembly

 

What is Mission Forum and why is this resolution important?

Sandra Crawford, Pioneer Minister in Jaywick, Essex, introduced Baptists Together Mission Forum as a diverse collective of representatives from Associations, colleges, and the Faith and Society Specialist Team. Meeting twice a year, the Forum provides mutual support for mission specialists, reflects on God’s work across the nation, and shapes mission strategy for Baptists Together.

Sandra explained that the Mission Resolution emerged from a desire to focus on what unites, rather than divides, the Baptist family in a rapidly changing and polarised world.

‘This resolution came from a desire to focus on what unites us,’ she said. ‘We want to proclaim the hope of salvation while demonstrating the good news through acts of service, justice, and creation care, and praying together for the transformation and healing of our world.’

The resolution seeks to inspire Baptists to embrace a holistic understanding of mission, she continued - embodying both the proclamation and demonstration of God’s love in every context.

 
How did this resolution emerge?

Steve Tinning, Public Issues Enabler for the Faith and Society Team, shared the journey that led to the resolution. Over the years, the Mission Forum has heard countless stories of God’s work through Baptist churches, from direct evangelism to acts of compassion, justice, and creation care.

Steve highlighted the breadth of mission already taking place, including churches welcoming refugees, providing food and shelter for those in need, tackling isolation, and addressing domestic abuse. Many churches also engage in environmental care through initiatives like EcoChurch.

‘Mission is essentially integrated,’ Steve said, quoting Everton Jackson, director of Integral Mission at the Baptist World Alliance, who addressed Mission Forum in 2021.
  
‘We have been incorporated into the Body of Christ by the Holy Spirit to carry out God’s mission through evangelism and discipleship, by serving the world with compassion and justice, and by caring for creation.’

Yet Steve also acknowledged the challenges faced by individuals and churches engaged in mission, including feelings of isolation and resistance to their work. The Mission Resolution was therefore crafted to offer encouragement, solidarity, and a clear foundation for understanding the breadth of God’s mission.

He explained how the Resolution itself had been on a journey – the drafting group has sought a breadth of theological perspectives and missiological experiences within the Baptist family. Their commendations to the resolution can be found among the online resources here.

This final draft was sent to Lynn Green, the Trustees of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and finally to Baptist Union Council, which considered it carefully in March. Members’ encouragement and feedback helped shaped the two-year process which begins now, Steve said.
 
 
The resolution itself - and the process over the next two years

Simon Goddard and Lindsay Caplen, members of Mission Forum, presented the threefold structure of the Mission Resolution: affirmation, thanksgiving, and resolve.

• Affirmation: The resolution affirms the mission of God as revealed in the Bible, calling Baptists to integrate the proclamation of the Gospel with acts of love, justice, and creation care. It emphasises the importance of proclaiming God’s restorative purposes, serving those in need, prophetically speaking for justice, and sustaining God’s creation.
• Thanksgiving: The resolution gives thanks for the legacy of Baptist mission, the global church, and the diversity of missional expressions across the Baptist family.
• Resolve: Baptists are called to discern their place in God’s mission and commit to sharing the Gospel, serving with compassion, and praying for one another as they move forward together.

‘This resolution reflects what is already being done across our Baptist family, but it also inspires us to further action,’ Simon explained.

The process of engagement spans two years. This Assembly in 2025 sees the Mission Resolution introduced.

Baptist Assembly 2026 will share and celebrate stories of mission. Finally, at the Assembly in 2027, the resolution will be brought to a vote for adoption as Baptists Together’s shared understanding of mission.

 
How can your church engage?

Penny Marsh, a member of the Mission Forum Steering Group, outlined practical ways for churches to engage with the resolution. She urged churches to use this process as a catalyst for fruitful conversations and to share their missional stories.

Three questions were posed for churches to discuss:

• How is your church’s mission reflected in the shared understanding of mission expressed in this resolution?
• What does this resolution add to your church’s current understanding of mission?
• What encouragements or challenges would your church like to share in response?

 
Churches are encouraged to submit their reflections and stories via the Baptists Together Mission Resolution webpage. These stories will be shared at the 2026 Assembly to inspire and encourage the Baptist family.

Penny emphasised the importance of listening and learning from one another during this process. ‘This is an opportunity for us to discover more of the diverse and beautiful ways that Jesus is at work through us in our nation,’ she said.

In 2027, churches are invited to send representatives to the Assembly to vote on the resolution.

Resources, including a short video, are available to help churches engage with the process. For more, visit the Mission Resolution area of the Baptists Together website.