About The Christian Action Commission
The Christian Action Commission is a ministry of the Mississippi Baptist Convention. In the early 1960’s Mississippi Baptists sensed a need to be more involved in issues that were affecting their homes, churches, and state. Therefore, in 1963 a recommendation to the state convention was adopted and the Christian Action Commission came into existence, selecting its first Executive Director, Dr. J. Clark Hensley, in 1965.
The Christian Action Commission has had a positive impact upon Mississippi since its earliest history. Much of its success must be attributed to the strong leadership of its trustees and Executive Directors, and their associates and staff. The MS Baptist Convention has assigned the Commission two tasks. The first is to provide aids, materials, and services to churches so they may be informed of facts, trends, and conditions relating to the moral, social, ethical, and legal issues that impact their lives. Secondly, the Commission is to emphasize the biblical teachings as they relate to the seven areas of assigned concerns:
The Family
To help strengthen the Christian home, the Christian Action Commission has developed workshops, seminars, conferences and resource materials. These services address the needs of home and family life. This includes marriage and family enrichment, interpersonal communication, parenting skills, adolescent issues, aging, death and dying, divorce, divorce recovery and singleness.
Alcohol and Drugs
The Christian Action Commission seeks to provide education about and awareness of the problems related to the production, distribution, advertisement, sale, use and/or abuse of addictive substances. Educational materials, other resources and programs are available to churches, schools and civic organizations.
Pornography
The Christian Action Commission challenges churches and individuals to identify and address the problem of pornography and obscenity in their communities. Trained individuals are available to help concerned groups combat the sale and distribution of pornographic materials. Seminars and workshops on Christian sexuality and positive personhood can be scheduled.
Human Relations
Materials, programs, and leadership are available to address the issues of interpersonal relationships between persons of different races, nationalities, cultural groups and problem relationships involving the home, church and community. The Christian Action Commission seeks to assist in building bridges of reconciliation.
Christian Citizenship
Leadership is available in the area of citizenship development, governmental relations, and the training of persons to be responsible Christian citizens. The Christian Action Commission assists with efforts to bring about effective involvement of citizens in the total governmental process. Christian Citizenship and Religious Liberty Sunday is promoted by the Christian Action Commission.
Church and State
Historically, Baptists have stressed the separation of church and state as a principle of religious liberty. The Christian Action Commission works with local and state governments and Congress to assure that legislation does not violate this principle. Additionally, the Christian Action Commission assists churches in contacting and interacting with various agencies of government as needs arise.
Moral and Social Problems
The Commission provides resources to address the Christian implications of such contemporary issues as: abortion, gambling, ecology, hunger, war and peace, medical ethics, suicide, homosexuality, women, education, abuse and personal integrity. As needs arise, the Christian Action Commission will provide resources addressing other issues of social, ethical, moral and legal concern.