ERLC defense – and opposition – ensues just weeks prior to Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Dallas
A group of 10 former Southern Baptist Convention presidents have weighed in on a debate over the denomination's controversial ethics and public policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). The ex-presidents acknowledged the agency's controversial nature and can do better, but they said that that's no reason to shut it down. They believe every entity should be open to critique and committed to improvement, but there is a difference between refinement and eradication.
The letter, first published by the Baptist Paper, a publication of The Alabama Baptist, was signed by the denomination's four most recent past presidents — Texas pastor Bart Barber, Alabama pastor Ed Litton, North Carolina pastor J.D. Greear, and Tennessee pastor Steve Gaines. The letter also included Louisiana pastor Fred Luter, retired pastor Bryant Wright, Georgia pastor James Merritt, longtime denominational leaders Tom Elliff, retired Florida pastor Jim Henry, and Jimmy Draper, who once led Lifeway, SBC’s publishing arm.
The ERLC has survived three votes to disband or defund the entity in recent years. Critics argue that the ERLC is out of touch with the beliefs of local church members and lacks close ties to the Trump administration. An online public relations war over the agency’s reputation and effectiveness has heated up as the 2025 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas approaches June 10-11.
In their letter, the ex-presidents say they have listened to the ERLC’s critics and do not believe those concerns warrant shutting down the agency. Willy Rice, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Fla., recently called out the ERLC for being little more than a sanctimonious public relations firm on a podcast with the Center for Baptist Leadership. Rice believes that the ERLC has become an exercise in institutional arrogance, looking down their noses at rank-and-file Baptists as if the ERLC's moral compass spins at a higher altitude.
At the SBC’s meeting in 2024, Florida pastor Tom Ascol, a vocal ERLC critic, made a motion to disband the ERLC entirely, saying the entity “has become increasingly distant from the values and concerns of the churches that finance it.” The motion failed but did get a surprising amount of support – with as many as a third of local church messengers attending the annual meeting voting for it.
The potential elimination of the ERLC joins a number of issues Southern Baptists are expected to discuss in Dallas, which includes the question of women in pastoral leadership and the transparency and accountability of SBC entities such as the North American Mission Board.
Mohler has ‘Personal Concerns’ about the ERLC
Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said recently that he has personal concerns about whether the ERLC remains viable in representing the convention on key cultural issues.
In an April 30 episode of the Baptist 21 podcast, Mohler said he “has grave doubts about the utility of the ERLC. And it’s not just about the current moment.” Mohler added that it would be wrong for him to lead an effort to abolish or defund the ERLC, however.
SBC Leaders Defend Viability of ERLC
Responding to Mohler and online critics, ERLC leaders and supporters are publicly defended the entity’s work in Washington and its support for churches navigating complex moral topics.
ERLC President Brent Leatherwood said the ERLC is gaining ground in Washington.
“Our focus is on the work Southern Baptists have assigned to us,” Leatherwood said. “We are gaining ground with our allies on the Hill to finally and permanently defund Planned Parenthood. We’re taking aim at banning pornography. At every opportunity, we’re equipping our churches to stand firm against the pervasive transgender ideology that so defines the spirit of the age.”
Former ERLC President Richard Land also weighed in, urging the convention to preserve the entity’s public policy voice.
In an opinion piece for Baptist Press, Land said it would be a mistake to eliminate the ERLC.
“It is a divine assignment to assist and enable Southern Baptists to witness Gospel truth to the complex moral and ethical challenges confronting society today. It is difficult to place adequate value on the ability of the ERLC to help Southern Baptists provide their often uniquely biblical perspective on complex issues such as religious liberty and the sanctity of all human life,” Land wrote. “I can say with confidence, based on much experience, that America will not get the issues surrounding religious liberty balanced correctly without significant Southern Baptist input.”
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