Former SBC Leaders Clash Over ERLC’s Direction Ahead of Annual Meeting
As the Southern Baptist Convention readies itself for the Annual Meeting set to take place in Dallas next month, a noticeable rift has emerged among former SBC presidents regarding the future of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), the denomination’s public policy arm. A group of ten former leaders has jointly endorsed continued backing of the commission, while another prominent former president, Jack Graham, has criticized its work, calling for it to be defunded and describing it as a source of division.
Graham, who has led a prominent church in Plano, Texas since 1989, expressed his disapproval by stating that he does not support the ERLC and considers it the most divisive force within the SBC since earlier controversies. He argued that the commission should have its funding cut, a stance he implied was the reason for his exclusion from the collective letter of support issued by his peers.
The letter, which was published recently and signed by a group of pastors and former SBC presidents including Bart Barber, Ed Litton, J.D. Greear, Steve Gaines, Fred Luter, Bryant Wright, James Merritt, Tom Elliff, Jim Henry, and Jimmy Draper, praises the ERLC for consistently upholding Southern Baptist principles related to religious liberty. The signatories highlighted the commission’s efforts in opposing issues such as abortion rights, explicit material, and challenges to traditional gender norms, while also advocating for values centered on life, marriage, and family.
Despite differences in perspective concerning the commission’s recent activities, the unified message of the letter is clear: dismantling the ERLC is not the answer. The former presidents recognized that while some of them have been strong advocates and others vocal critics, they remain unpersuaded that shutting down the commission would be beneficial. Instead, they recommended a careful review and internal reform guided by trustee governance, emphasizing that refinement is vastly different from elimination.
Current SBC President Clint Pressley, although not a signatory, reaffirmed his respect for his predecessors and promised to lead a fair and God-honoring Annual Meeting. The debate over the ERLC’s role is not entirely new; proposals to defund or eliminate the commission have surfaced in recent Annual Meetings. Last year’s effort, for instance, attracted support from a significant portion of messengers, though it ultimately did not provoke an official vote, and a similar proposal is anticipated this year.
Prominent voices in the wider community have also weighed in. Albert Mohler, president of a major theological seminary and a former contender for SBC president, recently shared his reservations on a podcast, expressing deep doubts over the ERLC’s effectiveness. At the same time, Richard D. Land, who led the commission for many years and continues to serve in an emeritus capacity, defended its role. Land argued that the ERLC plays an indispensable part in helping Southern Baptists navigate moral and policy challenges from a biblical perspective, and he cautioned against resorting to drastic measures in response to disagreements.
Graham’s critique of the ERLC is not recent. His objections date back several years when he opposed high-profile criticisms made by then-commission leaders regarding political figures. In a noted interview, he remarked that such comments were disrespectful to Southern Baptists and other evangelical leaders. His longstanding stance eventually led his church to suspend, though later resume, designated contributions to cooperative programs until he felt the commission’s activities had been properly reviewed.
In a further twist to the ongoing debate, Graham recently joined the advisory board of a religious liberty group established by a former U.S. president, adding another layer of complexity to his public position on the commission.
The joint letter from the former presidents dismissed motions to eliminate the ERLC as overly extreme and unreflective of Southern Baptist traditions, noting that governance should never rely on ultimatums. Instead, the letter called on messengers to engage in discussion, reflection, and prayer, and if proposals to disband the ERLC arise, to vote confidently in favor of preserving a vital role for Southern Baptists in the public discourse.
Scott Foshie, who chairs the ERLC trustee board, responded positively to the letter. He conveyed gratitude for the expression of support and reaffirmed the trustees’ commitment to build on the positive work already underway at the commission.
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