Slideshow image

By now most of you have heard the recent news out of Mississippi. During the Jim Crow era, when African-Americans were unable to vote, it’s citizens voted to include the symbol of the confederacy in its state flag. After decades of controversy, the state legislature voted on June 28 to remove the flag. The governor signed that bill into law on Tuesday, June 30.

We pointed out last Sunday that this flag, which is no longer flying over government buildings in its home state, is still flying in our gymnasium.  These flags represent the places where members of this church have been involved on mission. In August 2005, PBC sent a disaster relief team to Prentiss, MS after Hurricane Katrina. We are not ashamed, nor will we apologize for the work that we have done as a church to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, this particular flag sends more than one message.

If a bipartisan majority of Mississippi politicians can recognize the mixed messages this flag sends, we the church should be able to acknowledge that as well. The elders believe this flag should come down. However, we want you the membership of PBC to be a part of this decision. To that end, we called a special members meeting on the former Mississippi flag for this Sunday, July 12 after the morning service.

Below is the resolution the elders will present to you for a vote. It is based on a motion that was adopted by the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention in Saint Louis, Missouri. You can access that resolution here.

A Proposed Resolution*

* After the resolution was first posted here, the elders made a few changes to better reflect our desire for a spirit of unity as a church. The wording below reflects the modified resolution that was actually presented by the elders during the July 12 special Members Meeting. 

Although we fully understand and appreciate that many people view the Confederate battle flag as a symbol of heritage, and not as a sign of support for slavery and white supremacy, we also recognize the flag is used by some and perceived by many as a symbol of hatred, bigotry, and racism, offending millions of people; and

We recognize that, while the removal of the Confederate battle flag from public display is not going to solve the most severe racial tensions that plague our nation and our churches, those professing Christ are called to extend grace and put the consciences of others ahead of their own interests and actions (1 Corinthians 8:9–13, 10:23; Philippians 2:3–4); and

Since the state of Mississippi, with the support of state Southern Baptist leaders, signed legislation on June 30, 2020 to remove the state flag due to its Confederate imagery;

We the members of Poquoson Baptist Church:

  • commend the governmental officials of Mississippi for their sensitivity on this issue; and
  • pledge to remove the former Mississippi flag from our gymnasium; and
  • acknowledge both the importance of remembering family heritage and sacrifice, as well as the urgency of pursuing a unified Body of Christ and racial healing in America; and
  • urge one another to exercise grace and strive to apply 1 Corinthians 10:32, "Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God," so that the only offense we give is the offense of the cross, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame" (Rom 9:33), being "eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3), to be a bold witness to the transforming power of Jesus.  

Our Prayer for PBC

We live in a divided America. Our prayer is that the divisions threatening our nation will serve only to highlight the unity we have as a church. BIblical unity does not necessarily mean agreement on every issue, but a willingness to lay aside our differences for the sake of a common belief and a common vision. We pray our shared belief in the glorious Gospel of Christ and our shared vision to shepherd sinners from lost to leader will result in a supernatural unity this Sunday.