SBC Executive Committee officers address law firm concerns

As the Sexual Abuse Task Force finalizes its report in the coming weeks, the law firm representing the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee during the investigation will be wrapping up its service in the coming months. The search for a new permanent legal team will begin after the June 14–15 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, EC officers noted today (April 14).

The upcoming change in attorneys comes amid questions about the firm’s support of organizations and efforts in conflict with traditional Christian values.

The EC secured the services of the Bradley law firm, a national firm with a local office in Nashville where the EC is based, in a temporary capacity in late October.

“The urgency of the effort to cooperate with the Sexual Abuse Task Force investigation was, and is, critical to the reputation of the SBC Executive Committee and in demonstrating its commitment to transparency during the investigation and to the convention at large,” the EC officers said in a statement released April 14.

“Bradley came highly recommended with expertise in critical areas being faced by the SBC Executive Committee,” the statement reads. “Since their engagement began, they have resolved potential litigation, ensured maximum cooperation with the Sexual Abuse Task Force’s investigation, demonstrated an understanding of our statement of faith and mission as well as our polity, earned the trust of Guidepost Solutions and the Committee on Cooperation, and tirelessly worked to protect and preserve the interests of the SBC Executive Committee.

“Bradley is, however, a secular corporation … (and) supports multiple diversity and inclusion efforts and internal affinity groups. … Some of these efforts may be out of step with Southern Baptist convictions expressed in the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, but most churches and state conventions are faced with similar challenges when they engage in business with various secular companies.”

To read full coverage of the change in law firms, check out the April 14 article from The Baptist Paper here.