Alabama trustees of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee joined their counterparts from other states to deliberate a variety of heavy business items during their Feb. 20–21 meeting in Nashville. They also heard reports from the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (see below), the EC presidential search committee and a challenge from SBC President Bart Barber (see below).
Still, serious questions of financial sustainability for the EC and the decision to deem six churches not in friendly cooperation with the convention captured much of the group’s attention.
Discussions around whether to amend the SBC constitution to read “does not affirm … a woman as pastor of any kind” will continue. A vote is anticipated at the group’s next meeting in June.
‘Not in friendly cooperation’
Five of the six churches being recommended for removal were related to female pastor concerns.
The churches are New Faith Mission Ministry in Griffin, Georgia (which labels itself as nondenominational on its website); St. Timothy’s Christian Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland; Calvary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi; Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky; and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
The sixth church — Freedom Church in Vero Beach, Florida — reportedly has not properly handled a sexual abuse allegation.
The churches have the right to appeal the EC’s recommendation, which would bring the matter up for a vote by messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans in June.
Unrestricted funds ‘cut in half’
As far as the financial concerns, EC trustees learned more than $6 million of the group’s investments were spent in 2022. During the previous February EC meeting, financial reports indicated the EC had $15 million in investments and a little under $3 million of those were designated as restricted so that left around $12.2 million available to use for unexpected or unbudgeted expenses.
“The (unrestricted investments) have been cut in half,” said EC member Monte Shinkle of Missouri. “We dropped $6 million this past year. We have $6 million left … it doesn’t look good.”
Mike Bianchi, interim chief financial officer, noted the EC received an unqualified opinion (which is good) on its 2022 audit report, but the auditors emphasized “the sexual abuse issues, the DOJ investigation and the deteriorating liability of the EC” as concerns.
The current pace is “unsustainable,” Bianchi said, noting options such as liquidating assets (including the EC building), changing financial arrangements, obtaining other financing, etc., were discussed with the auditors.
‘Everything is on the table’
Willie McLaurin, EC interim president and CEO, added, “Everything is on the table in terms of how we are going to maintain and move forward. We are monitoring … on a daily basis (and) believe God has given us a plan to maintain as much vitality as we can … (while) making the best decision that will benefit all Southern Baptists.”
Along with hearing current financial concerns, the EC trustees also adopted a proposed 2023–24 SBC operating budget of $8,305,500 (roughly the same as the 2022–23 budget) and a proposed 2023–24 SBC CP allocation budget of $195,250,000 (down slightly from the 2022–23 budget of $196 million with percentages to entities such as IMB, NAMB, seminaries, etc., remaining steady).
EC chair Jared Wellman presided over the meeting, which included routine recommendations and reports from the EC officers and each of the four committees — missions and ministries, finances and stewardship development, events and strategic planning, and Southern Baptist relations.
A few decisions made throughout the day need more research for full understanding, such as why the SBC’s chief parliamentarian for more than 35 years, Barry McCarty, will no longer be the parliamentarian.
A contract was approved Feb. 21 for vice parliamentarian Al Gage to step into the role of chief parliamentarian during the annual meeting in New Orleans in June, but the reasoning behind the change was not officially reported. Parliamentarian contracts are renewed annually.
Alabama response to task force report
Regarding the ARITF report, EC member Craig Carlisle of Alabama said, “The work of the task force is evident. Their passion is evident. They take it very seriously and to heart.
“It’s a long way to go to make the connection to the churches but it’s a great beginning to what we are going to hear and see in the future,” said Carlisle, who serves as chair of the state convention’s Sexual Abuse Advisory Task Force.
Still, while Blalock received a standing ovation following his report (see story, above), he knew push back would come over choosing Guidepost Solutions as the new abuser website administrator.
Guidepost, which performed the recent investigation into the SBC EC’s handling of sexual abuse cases, publicized its support of the LGBTQ community in June 2022, just days before the SBC Annual Meeting where the investigation report would be presented to messengers.
Concerns raised over Guidepost
Blalock acknowledged he agreed with the concerns from last June but noted “Guidepost has addressed the concerns we share.”
The new Faith-Based Solutions division came out of those discussions, he said, noting their sensitivity to Southern Baptists’ concerns.
“They also are assigning people of faith to work on our work,” he added. “They respected our belief and our polity.”
Several church leaders are speaking out on social media about the decision, however.
Florida Pastor Willy Rice posted on Twitter Feb. 22, “This is a hard ‘no’ for me; a line in the sand that I cannot cross.”
To read more about how Guidepost’s Faith-Based Solutions division was selected, click here.
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