Trial date set in Hunt case; summary judgment possible
NASHVILLE (BP) – A trial date of Sept. 22, 2026, has been set in the case brought by former SBC president Johnny Hunt against the Southern Baptist Convention and others, though a ruling on a summary judgment motion could affect that.
Federal Judge William Campbell dismissed most of Hunt’s claims against the SBC, the SBC Executive Committee and Guidepost Solutions last March in his ruling on an initial summary judgment motion.
The only claim that remains has to do with a social media post that Hunt claims was defamatory. In their new motion for partial summary judgment filed last week, defendants argue Hunt was a public figure, so the standard for defamation should be “actual malice” rather than mere negligence.
Hunt’s initial suit was primarily related to a May 2022 report from Guidepost on its investigation into alleged mishandling of sexual abuse claims by the EC. The report included information concerning an incident between Hunt and another pastor’s wife in 2010.
A few months after the Guidepost Report in 2022, Hunt made a public return to ministry, which prompted an X post from then-SBC President Bart Barber that stated Hunt’s actions would “constitute a felony in any jurisdiction in the U.S.”
Whether the trial goes forward hinges on Campbell’s ruling regarding Hunt’s public figure status.
“Because Hunt was a public figure and the Court has held that actual malice cannot be shown, summary judgment with respect to the remaining claim on the Tweet is appropriate,” the defendants’ filing said.
Hunt has not yet responded to the motion.
Sills case set for trial
NASHVILLE (BP) – A case brought by former Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor David Sills against the Southern Baptist Convention and several others is scheduled to go before a jury Nov. 10, 2026.
Sills and his wife Mary have accused the SBC, SBTS, the SBC Executive Committee, Lifeway Christian Resources, former SBC presidents Bart Barber and Ed Litton and several others of “defamation, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and wantonness concerning untrue claims of sexual abuse.”
The lawsuit, filed in November 2022, claims a report from Guidepost Solutions about alleged mishandling of abuse claims at the SBC Executive Committee “perpetuated a false narrative” regarding Sills and his relationship with the late Jennifer Lyell.
Sills further claims that defendants “saw an opportunity to improve the appearance and reputation of (the) SBC’s handling of abuse cases, long under fire, even though there had not been any legitimate and proper investigation into the allegations, nor was Dr. Sills adequately informed of the specific nature and extent of accusations made by Lyell.”
Lyell’s estate was dropped from the suit last year, a few months after her death in June 2025.
Related posts:
SBC entity leaders respond to Guidepost report 
NEWS DIGEST: NAMB terminates agreement with Future Church; Former Illinois pastor arrested for grooming minor 
YEAR IN REVIEW: Top 12 most-read stories in 2024 
Guidepost investigation prompts recommendations for reform 
EC votes to create department dedicated to ongoing sexual abuse response 
Generous missions giving, biblical authority spotlight entity reports 
Hmong Baptist leader dies shortly after being diagnosed with cancer 
Former SC youth leader charged with two counts of sexual abuse
