3 churches appeal ousters from Southern Baptist Convention; messengers to vote June 13

NEW ORLEANS — Three churches have filed appeals hoping to be allowed back into the Southern Baptist Convention.

Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., Freedom Church in Vero Beach, Fla., and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. are asking messengers to the SBC annual meeting on June 13 in New Orleans to overturn decisions by the Credentials Committee and Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee had “deemed eight churches to no longer be in cooperation,” a doctrinal finding that led to their expulsion from the SBC.

The Kentucky and California churches were expelled because they have women serving in pastoral roles.

Bylaws allow such churches to appeal to messengers at the annual meeting. One representative from each of the churches will be permitted to speak to messengers, urging them to overturn the decision of the Executive Committee and Credentials Committee.

“SBC bylaws plainly outline the process for churches determined to be not in cooperation with the Convention to appeal their cases before messengers cast their votes,” said Executive Committee Chairman David Sons in a written statement. “Since this is the first time in SBC history for this particular item of business to come before the Convention, it’s important for everyone coming to New Orleans to be prepared and informed about the process.”

A “yes” vote will affirm the decision of the Executive Committee and Credentials Committee.  A “no” vote will overturn the decision of the committees and allow the church to immediately be registered and to seat messengers in accordance with convention rules.