NASHVILLE (BP) – Members of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission’s executive committee acknowledged on July 23 that the events of the previous 24 hours brought confusion and frustration as conflicting press releases tried to clarify that Brent Leatherwood is still at the helm of the SBC entity. “We know that these events have shaken trust in the executive committee, the trustee board, and the organization especially. It is imperative that we commit ourselves as trustees to … [Read more...]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (BP) – Southern Baptist pastor Kevin Smith announced Tuesday morning, June 23, that he has resigned as chairman and from the board of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Smith’s resignation comes on the heels of a turbulent 24 hours for the Southern Baptist public policy entity. The ERLC announced Monday evening, July 22, that the board’s executive committee had removed President Brent Leatherwood “in accordance with our bylaws.” However, that decision … [Read more...]

NASHVILLE (BP) – Brent Leatherwood remains president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. ERLC executive board members say board Chairman Kevin Smith acted alone in an announcement of Leatherwood’s removal on July 22 and violated the entity’s bylaws. A early morning release from the ERLC executive committee says: “As members of the ERLC’s Executive Committee, we formally retract the press release which was sent yesterday. “There was not an authorized meeting, vote, or … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: A day after this announcement was made by the ERLC, the organization retracted the announcement and stated that “There was not an authorized meeting, vote, or action taken by the Executive Committee. Kevin Smith has resigned as Chair of the Executive Committee. Brent Leatherwood remains the President of the ERLC and has our support moving forward.” NASHVILLE (BP) – The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention announced Monday night, July … [Read more...]