By Jennifer Davis Rash
The Alabama Baptist
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) became the topic of conversation twice during routine business items at the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting in Dallas.
Prior to approving the 2019–2020 Cooperative Program (CP) Allocation Budget as proposed by SBC Executive Committee chairman Stephen Rummage, a Florida messenger made a motion to amend the CP budget to defund ERLC. The amendment was defeated but prior to the vote the messenger described concerns with ERLC President Russell Moore. He suggested shifting the ERLC portion of the budget to the International Mission Board.
Rummage urged defeat of the amendment saying, “We see the great value of our ERLC. They perform vital services on behalf of our convention and need to be included in our CP budget.”
Vance Pitman, pastor of Hope Church, Las Vegas, said, “No SBC entity has done more to engage African-Americans, Hispanics (and others) than ERLC. … ERLC has done more than all resolutions combined.
“You may not always agree with Russell Moore and at times I have not,” Pitman said. “But ERLC has been doggedly pro-life, pro-marriage, pro-religious liberty and is rooted in evangelism.
“Conspiracy theories are a false witness against the body of Christ and we must not tolerate it,” he said.
Former ERLC head Richard Land also spoke against the amendment. “The world needs to hear what Southern Baptists believe about compelling issues,” he said.
In a separate discussion later in the day, ERLC trustee chairman Trevor Atwood moved that the Committee on Nominations’ report be amended to grant trustee Dan Anderson a second term.
Messengers agreed.
Anderson had reportedly expressed interest in serving a second term but he had been denied the opportunity to serve again. No clear explanation was provided about why he was not selected for re-nomination.
Messengers approved Atwood’s amendment to strike Richard Bott II and insert Dan Anderson before adopting the Committee on Nominations report.
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