Update: Leatherwood remains president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission; chairman resigns
The SBC entity leader called Joe Biden's decision to bow out of the presidential race a "selfless act – the kind that has become all too rare in our culture."
Editor’s note: This story has been updated from its original version. The Baptist Report will post additional updates as necessary.
In a bizarre turn of events, it was announced early today that Brent Leatherwood, the controversial president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), will remain in the position and has the full support of its executive board.
ERLC Executive Board members said in a press release to Baptist Press that chairman Kevin Smith acted alone in an announcement of Leatherwood’s removal on July 22, violating the entity’s bylaws.
The release reads: “As members of the ERLC’s Executive Committee, we formally retract the press release which was sent yesterday. There was not an authorized meeting, vote, or action taken by the Executive Committee. Kevin Smith has resigned as Chair of the Executive Committee.” The release said Leatherwood has the full support of the executive committee moving forward.
A statement released on July 22 by the Executive Committee discharging Leatherwood from this duties read, “In accordance with our bylaws, the executive committee [of the ERLC] has removed Brent Leatherwood as president. Further details, as well as plans for the transition, will be provided at our September board meeting. Until then, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees will assume directional responsibility for carrying out the ministry assignments for the ERLC.”
The Baptist Press listed the ERLC’s Executive Board officers as Kevin Smith, chairman; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Tony Beam, vice chair; Greer, S.C.; Amy Pettway, secretary; Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Michael Guyer, chair of the communications committee; Ypsilanti, Mich.; Anthony Cox, chair of the research and public policy committee; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Nathan Lugbill, chair of the administrative and finance committee, Indianapolis, Ind.
No reason was given for the July 22 statement, which came a day after Leatherwood said in a written statement for Baptist Press on July 21 about President Joe Biden bowing out of the 2024 presidential race: “Not only is this a historic decision, it is the right decision for our nation. The role of president takes a heavy toll and, based on what has been apparent for some time, it was unrealistic to ask President Biden to endure another four years of the incredible burdens placed on the one who occupies this office.”
Comments by Leatherwood which may have led Smith to take action was a link to the Baptist Press article posted to X/Twitter added, “Despite what some partisans will say, to walk away from power is a selfless act – the kind that has become all too rare in our culture.”
The comment (screenshot below) was widely panned online by Leatherwood’s critics on the social media platform.
Leatherwood has been president of the ERLC since September 2022, replacing Russell Moore, now editor-in-chief of Christianity Today. Leatherwood came to the ERLC in 2017 after serving as the executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party from 2012 to 2016. He also worked on Capitol Hill as a senior legislative aide to former Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fla.
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Like Moore, Leatherwood’s tenure at the Southern Baptist ethics and lobbying entity has sometimes been tumultuous. Calls for Leatherwood’s resignation and motions to defund the ERLC were made in this year’s Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
In 2023, Leatherwood lobbied for the “red flag” gun control law in Tennessee and the concealment of the manifesto written by a transexual mass shooter Audrey Hale at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Earlier this year, Leatherwood lobbied that funding for Ukraine was a priority over Israel along with other high-profile evangelicals on Capitol Hill including former ERLC president Richard Land.
A three-page letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries drew backlash from some conservative Christians who said the move is the latest example of the Southern Baptist public policy arm not representing their interests.
Critics say Leatherwood uses his ERLC platform to lobby for lax immigration policies and to promote amnesty, positions that appear to run counter to concerns many Southern Baptists have about national security and the rule of law.
Related:
ERLC roasted on X/Twitter after posting 'Bringing Hope to the Public Square' video
Russell Moore’s complex relationship with the Southern Baptist Convention
And here I thought they finally did something right.