In a surprising turn of events, the head of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention initially faced reports of being fired, only to have those reports retracted shortly after. The confusion began when the ERLC announced that the leader, Brent Leatherwood, had been removed by the executive committee on Monday. However, by Tuesday morning, it was clarified that there was no authorized meeting, vote, or action taken by the Executive Committee, and Leatherwood was not fired.
Despite the initial turmoil, the ERLC reaffirmed its support for Leatherwood, stating that he has their backing moving forward. This statement came after the chairman of the agency's board resigned amid the retraction of the firing announcement.
Leatherwood, who has led the ERLC for three years, found himself at the center of controversy following his public acknowledgment of President Joe Biden's decision not to seek re-election. Leatherwood commended Biden for his 'selfless act,' a sentiment that drew criticism from some within the denomination who had already been critical of the agency.
The ERLC, known for advocating staunchly conservative positions in line with official Southern Baptist stances, has faced scrutiny from some members of the denomination who seek to push it further to the right. Despite this, Leatherwood has resisted calls to support legal penalties for women seeking abortions, a stance that has garnered both support and opposition.
At the recent annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, tensions were evident as differing viewpoints within the denomination were on display. While hundreds attended an unofficial event featuring a video address by former President Donald Trump, Leatherwood hosted a separate event where he interviewed former Vice President Mike Pence. Pence, another staunch conservative, faced backlash from Trump supporters after refusing to block the certification of Biden's election victory in 2020.
As the ERLC navigates these internal challenges, the organization remains a key player in shaping public policy within the Southern Baptist Convention. The recent events surrounding Leatherwood's leadership underscore the ongoing debates and divisions within the denomination as it grapples with its stance on various social and political issues.
