Complex sentence: In 1925 the Convention decided to adopted its own Baptist Faith and Message statement, responding in part to the evolution controversy, but considered it a guide and not a mandate; thus it was not imposed on any church or institution.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1925 the Convention decided to adopted its own Baptist Faith and Message statement, responding in part to the evolution controversy. The statement was considered a guide and not a mandate, and it was not imposed on any church or institution.