Current SBC President Ronnie Floyd and 16 past presidents released a joint statement June 17 at the Southern Baptist Convention in Columbus, Ohio, stating their commitment to the biblical definition of marriage.

The presidents—all current or retired pastors—stated, “We stake our lives upon the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.”

The statement also included a notice to the country and the sitting Supreme Court justices that they “will not recognize same-sex ‘marriages,’ our churches will not host same-sex ceremonies, and we will not perform such ceremonies.”

Later this month, the Supreme Court will release its decision on a case which could potentially make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states.

At the press conference, James Merritt, pastor of Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Ga., paraphrased the words of Martin Luther: “Here we stand, and we can do no other. God help us.”

The presidents also stressed the need for churches to be prepared by having clear bylaws and constitutions that say what it means to be married in their churches.

Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, urged Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries to do the same. He said he could see a time forthcoming where accrediting bodies may not provide accreditation to Christian educational institutions that do not approve of same-sex marriage or transgenderism.

What he said concerns him most are the medium and small churches “that have never thought through their bylaws and constitutions. Challenges will probably come to those small churches that are ill-prepared.”

Floyd said the issue is a matter of preparation and encouragement. “It’s not about anything more than helping our churches and being clear and compassionate.”

They also offered encouragement to church members whose religious liberties are threatened in the workplace to prepare and stand firm. Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, said, “We want to challenge pastors and church members. This is coming and it’s coming now. The trajectory is on breakneck speed…We encourage Christian leaders everywhere to make some noise and to be a voice.”

Floyd encouraged Christians who face hostility for their biblical views on same-sex marriage and other such issues. “I think we engage by showing compassion…it’s about love and truth. You can’t preach the gospel without preaching the grace of God and the love of God.

The press conference ended with a word from Floyd reaffirming the stance of the Convention. “The Southern Baptist Convention has not moved, the culture has moved. We stand on the Word of God that abides forever, always, has been, and will forever be.”

The press statement was signed by every living past president of the SBC. Nine total presidents were attended the press conference.

Visit the Baptist Press website to read the statement and to hear audio of the press conference.

Columbus | Today marked the official opening of business for the 2015 Southern Baptist Convention, beginning with worship led by Julio Arriola and the presentation of the Broadus gavel to President Ronnie Floyd. Below are some highlights from the day; check back this evening for an update on the SBC Call to Prayer.

After leading worship Tuesday, Julio Arriola (right) was elected music director for next year’s Convention in St. Louis.

SBC Executive Committee President Frank Page (left) passes the Broadus gavel to SBC President Ronnie Floyd to start the business session.

Douglas Carver, the North American Mission Board’s executive director of chaplaincy, remembers veterans of the Vietnam War during a 50th anniversary tribute.

Robert Walker (third from right) leads the pledge of allegiance with other military veterans. Walker is missions pastor at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago.

Past presidents of the Southern Baptist Convention pray for Ronnie Floyd and his wife, Jeana, prior to Floyd’s president’s address Tuesday morning.

Jedidiah Coppenger (left) moderates the annual Baptist21 panel discussion with (from left) Danny Akin, Albert Mohler, David Platt, Russell Moore and H.B. Charles.

Frank Page introduces the Great Commission Advance, a new challenge for Southern Baptist churches in areas including evangelism and stewardship.

When Nathan Lino meets with homosexual and transgender church attendees he tells them, “We’re not on your side or on our side. We’re on Jesus’ side.”

Lino was speaking at a breakfast hosted by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) Monday, June 15, at the Southern Baptist Convention. He was a member of a panel focusing on gender, the roles of men and women in the church, transgenderism, and homosexuality. It also included denominational leaders Owen Strachan, Danny Akin, Jason Duesing, and Thomas White.

The pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church said his church is dealing with the issue of transgenderism, especially in its gender-based ministry classes.. He spoke about an attendee of several months, assumed to be a man, who came to him and shared about being born a woman, and undergoing the process of transitioning to a man.

“We are up front about what we believe as a church. We don’t want there to be any surprises,” said Lino.

The changes in our culture shouldn’t frighten us, he said. “We have no reason to be panicked or alarmed…The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to all matters. Our solution is we must return to teaching and fully explaining complementarianism.”

According to Lino, the Houston church also has homosexual attendees. “The homosexuals in our church have been taught the design, and have been given the time and space to reflect on that design, and have turned to that design.”

Transgenderism and homosexuality are not the only issues the church should deal with said Lino. “We must also deal with heterosexual sex before marriage. Like transgenderism, it’s a violation of God’s design. We have all violated God’s design. The Gospel of our Lord Jesus has redeemed us and we are living in the design.”

“The mission of the church isn’t to un-gay people,” shared Lino. “The mission of the church is to win people to Christ.”

He asked why churches try to “run off” homosexuals and transgendered people. “Do you realize that it’s a miracle they are there? It’s because of God and it’s glorious.”

The event began with a discussion on complementarianism, which underpinned the entire discussion.

Akin, president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, explained the concept as men and women being “equal in essence, but separate in function.”

Strachan president of the CBMW made it clear that the council “does not exist to elevate men over women. We’re in this because we recognize the gospel brings flourishing. We’re 100% for both men and women.”

He also addressed the continued blurring of gender lines in the culture. “We’re not Teletubbies,” he said to some laughter. “We’re not the redeemed androgynous. We are gospel men and women.”

Other panelists also addressed the changing cultural mores.

When asked about the current cultural celebration of transgenderism, most notably in the recent new stories surrounding Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner,  White, president of Cedarville University, said, “Psalm 139 tells us God knew us before we were born…What we’re seeing here is a secular worldview versus a biblical worldview. We need to get back to that biblical worldview.

“We’re seeing the fallen-ness of creation. We should go out in grace and compassion and not laugh or make fun of it.”

Akin pointed out that most Christians were not saved the first time they heard the gospel. He echoed Lino in saying, “We need to give people the time and space to hear the gospel.”