WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (BP) – Southern Baptist pastor Kevin Smith announced Tuesday morning, July 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 [1], July 22, that the board’s executive committee had removed President Brent Leatherwood “in accordance with our bylaws.” However, that decision was rescinded [2] early this morning.
In a statement provided to Baptist Press, Smith said “After multiple conversations with Executive Committee members of the ERLC, I was convinced in my mind that we had a consensus to remove Brent Leatherwood as the president of the ERLC. It is a delicate matter and, in an effort to deal with it expeditiously, I acted in good faith but without a formal vote of the Executive Committee. This was an error on my part, and I accept full responsibility.”
Smith went on to note: “At this time, the Executive Committee does not wish to move forward with my course of action.”
He confirmed his resignation from the board saying “I have been a proud participant in Southern Baptist Convention life for 35 years. I love the SBC. I love the ERLC. And I trust the Executive Committee to take the best course of action moving forward. I will look forward to focusing on ministry in my neighborhood church.”
Smith is a pastor at Family Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. He previously served as executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware and has been on the ERLC board since 2018.
The ERLC trustees are scheduled to meet Sept. 10-11 in Nashville.
Smith’s full statement follows:
It has been my honor to serve as a trustee at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention. As to recent events: After multiple conversations with Executive Committee members of the ERLC, I was convinced in my mind that we had a consensus to remove Brent Leatherwood as the president of the ERLC. It is a delicate matter and, in an effort to deal with it expeditiously, I acted in good faith but without a formal vote of the Executive Committee. This was an error on my part, and I accept full responsibility. At this time, the Executive Committee does not wish to move forward with my course of action. Therefore, I am resigning as the Chairman of the ERLC Board of Trustees and as a Trustee. I have been a proud participant in Southern Baptist Convention life for 35 years. I love the SBC. I love the ERLC. And I trust the Executive Committee to take the best course of action moving forward. I will look forward to focusing on ministry in my neighborhood church.
Related posts:
ERLC letter to Trump transition team encourages policy changes 
4 entity heads address messenger questions 
SBC Executive Committee creates ERLC study task force 
Would-be foster parents rejected for Christian beliefs 
Sex abuse news ‘wake-up call’ for pastors, ERLC panel says 
Ohioans codify abortion rights and legalize marijuana 
EXPLAINER: What is the Mississippi abortion case about? Supreme Court Changes Marriage Landscape