Why smaller membership church pastors are not elected president of the Southern Baptist Convention

Ironically, small church pastors are often not elected to lead the denomination mainly comprised of smaller membership churches.

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), one of the largest Protestant denominations in the United States, has a rich history and a complex organizational structure. When it comes to electing their president, certain patterns and dynamics emerge. While it is not an official policy, there are several reasons why small church pastors are often not elected to this prestigious denominational position.

The fact that smaller membership church pastors have a hard time being elected to the position of president of the Convention is ironic, considering the make-up of the average SBC church that most Southern Baptists attend each week.

SBC Attendance Statistics

The average attendance for all reporting SBC churches is 145. The median church has 70 in attendance. More than 3.8 million individuals attended a Southern Baptist congregation on an average weekend in 2022 – a 5% increase over the previous year. It is important to remember that membership and attendance are distinct; of the 13 million members in SBC churches, only 3.8 million attended those churches on an average Sunday in 2022.

Below is a list of the six announced candidates for the presidency of the SBC for 2024 and information about the size of their churches, according to published reports:

• Dan Spencer is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tenn., which has a membership of more than 4,000 people with an average weekly attendance of 1,200.

• Jared Moore is the senior pastor of Cumberland Homesteads Baptist Church in Crossville, Tenn. The church has an average weekly worship service attendance of 113.

• Bruce Frank is the pastor of Biltmore Baptist Church in Asheville, N.C. Last year, the church ranked 85th among the nation’s largest churches according to Outreach Magazine’s annual survey. It attracts nearly 7,000 people for worship on Sundays across all its campuses.

• Clint Pressley is the pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. The church has multiple campuses in the Charlotte area with more than 18,000 members. This makes Hickory Grove the second-largest Baptist church in North Carolina and one of the largest churches in SBC.

• Mike Keahbone is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Lawton, Okla. The church has a membership of more than 4,000 people.

• David Allen is professor and dean at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova, Tenn. Allen previously pastored two churches in Texas, and has served as interim pastor in 13 other churches. No details about these churches are available.

Visibility and Influence

Serving as SBC president is a highly visible role presenting millions of Baptists across the country, it involves speaking at major events, leading committees, and shaping denominational policies.

Most larger churches have more resources, larger congregations, and greater influence within the Convention. Their pastors are often better known within the denomination due to their prominence.

While serving as SBC president is largely ceremonial, it does come with the authority to appoint key Southern Baptists to important committees and boards. As a result, it has a lasting impact on the denomination for several years after the individual’s term as Convention president ends.

Perceived Leadership Experience

The presidency demands strong leadership skills, administrative acumen, and the ability to navigate complex issues. Larger churches provide pastors with opportunities to develop these skills.

Small church pastors, while equally dedicated, may not have the same exposure to denominational leadership roles. Their experience might be limited to local contexts.

During interviews with candidates for this year’s SBC presidential election posted online, it became evident that some large church pastors vying for the office are less informed about crucial SBC issues when compared to other candidates.

Representation and Demographics

The SBC is diverse, comprising churches of varying sizes, ethnicities, and theological perspectives. The president is expected to represent this diversity.

Historically, presidents have come from larger churches, reflecting the demographic reality. This perpetuates the perception that small church pastors lack the necessary qualifications, which is not necessarily true.

Election Dynamics

The election process involves delegates (messengers) from SBC churches voting during the annual convention meeting. Larger churches send more messengers, giving them greater influence.

Campaigning, networking, and alliances play a role. Pastors from larger churches often have wider networks and more opportunities to build relationships. While candidates for SBC president balk at the notion they “campaign” for the office, in reality, the influential networks some pastors build – or lack thereof – are key to their support and election.

Theological and Philosophical Alignment

The SBC has theological debates and differing viewpoints. Presidents are often associated with specific theological stances. Larger churches tend to align with certain theological traditions, SBC entities, and seminaries, making these pastors more appealing to certain factions within the convention.

This does not mean these pastors’ theological positions are in alignment with all Southern Baptists, as evidenced in recent years by SBC presidents whose theological positions diverge from Southern Baptists of smaller membership congregations. Furthermore, certain pastors blindly endorse SBC entities like the North American Mission Board, which has faced criticism from some SBC leaders due to its evangelism and church-planting methods. Additionally, Kevin Ezell, the board’s leader, is currently embroiled in a high-profile lawsuit with Will McRaney, the former executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware which has wide-reaching ramifications for all SBC churches.

Practical Considerations

The demands of the presidency can be overwhelming. Travel, meetings, and administrative responsibilities require significant time and energy.

Small church pastors may already have full schedules, balancing pastoral duties, family life, and other responsibilities, and lack supporting staff and other resources. Serving as president might be impractical.

Changing Trends

It’s essential to recognize that trends are shifting. The SBC has become more aware of the need for diversity and inclusivity.

Recent elections have seen a broader representation, including pastors from smaller churches. However, historical patterns persist.

While the SBC does not explicitly exclude small church pastors, the dynamics of leadership, visibility, and historical precedent often favor candidates from larger congregations. As the denomination attempts to address the needs and concerns of the majority of its (smaller) churches, it seems logical there is a need for greater representation and recognition of the valuable contributions made by pastors serving in smaller churches.