Emissaries at the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) Annual Conference voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to approve the creation of an Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, rejecting a motion to defund the body amid accusations of a leftward shift. According to the vote, the motion to defund the ERLC failed by an estimated margin of 3 to 1 to 4 to 1. The motion required approval at two consecutive meetings.
The ERLC is the public policy arm of the SBC and works on issues of life, religious freedom, marriage, and human dignity in Washington, DC.
Brent Leatherwood, chairman of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, urged the delegates to vote down the motion. The meeting was held in Indianapolis.
“We are faithful to the Bible, faithful to what the Lord has called us to do, and we seek to serve our church faithfully,” Leatherwood told the messengers, “and we are in a challenging time in our culture and our conference. Division and anger abounds, and there are voices everywhere trying to destroy with false claims and half-truths. To exclude an organization that needs a voice now more than ever is the wrong move.”
The motion’s sponsor, Tom Ascol of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, argued that the ERLC has strayed from its mission.
“Over the past eight years, the ERLC has become increasingly distant from the values and concerns of the churches that fund it,” Ascol said. “Along with countless pastors, I have raised concerns with the executive director and trustees about the ERLC’s positions, actions and inactions.”
Ascol said that in 2018, the ERLC “produced and released a professional video arguing that animal rights are a pro-life issue.” Ascol said he thought the video was terrible.
“The video was eventually removed, but it leaves me wondering: Why were Cooperative Program funds used to make such a video?”
The Cooperative Program is the SBC’s funding system for mission and ministry activities.
Ascol also criticized the ERLC’s signing off on the 2023 openness. letter A letter to state legislators opposed to laws that criminalize women who seek abortions, also signed by National Right to Life, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, March for Life, and the Susan B. Anthony List, declared, “We continue to oppose legislative and policy efforts that criminalize women who seek abortions, and remain committed to advancing policies that protect the unborn and provide and strengthen life-affirming resources for women at risk of abortion.”
“That letter killed a bill in Louisiana that would have been the first complete ban on abortion in the United States.“ Ascol said.
Leatherwood said the animal rights videos existed before he took office.
“The video was removed almost immediately after the organization realized they had made a mistake.“ He said, “So, none of us are perfect, but we removed it and accepted that responsibility.”“
Messenger Luke Holmes of Immanuel Baptist Church in Duncan, Oklahoma, called on messengers to support the ERLC. He, Ascol and Leatherwood were the only ones to speak on the motion.
Holmes said the debate about the ERLC “often evokes debates from the ’50s and ’60s, when the organization was a leader in race relations and religious freedom.”“
“Similar motions had been made several decades ago, but were soundly rejected each time.“ “For decades, SBC emissaries have spoken clearly and asserted the importance of the organization’s mission,” Holmes said. the It is understandable that not everyone will agree with every action or position. Disagreements are natural and healthy in a diverse organization such as ours. … Proposing repeal or defunding in Congress would be the nuclear weapons option. It would leave damage everywhere. At a time when our country is grappling with vital issues, it is important to have committed, experienced voices on these issues.”
Holmes concluded that “the Southern Baptist Convention is one of the largest Protestant denominations in America.” [and] It must continue to have a presence in our nation’s capital.”
Photo credit: ©SWN/ERLC
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
