The Southern Baptist Convention is restarting its search for its new CEO and president of the Executive Committee.
The announcement comes after the SBC committee rejected a vote to install Texas pastor Jared Wellman to the top post, Religion News Service reports.
Wellman previously served as chairman of the Executive Committee for about three years before he resigned in mid-April. He also is an ex-officio member of the new CEO and president search committee, a role that some say should have disqualified him from nomination.
“How does an Ex-Officio officer involved in most of the process get an interview in a process he helps develop?” A.B. Vines, a former SBC vice president, asked in an open letter reposted on social media.
Jared Wellman's Church, Tate Springs Baptist Church, sponsored Cornerstone in our inception. We are fellow Pastors in Arlington. I've had nothing but positive interaction with Wellman. However, I affirm every single word in the attached probative letter from Rev. A.B. Vines. pic.twitter.com/pFdumQVzqk
— Dwight McKissic (@pastordmack) April 27, 2023
Reportedly, Wellman recused himself from the search committee when he became a potential candidate for the CEO and president position, but he still served on the Executive Committee as chairman.
Wellman has also served on the SBC’s Committee on Resolutions.
“It’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the Southern Baptist Convention through the Executive Committee,” Wellman told committee members, the SBC’s official news publication, The Baptist Press, reports.
After the failed vote this week, the Executive Committee appointed a new search committee to begin the process again.
Unlike the SBC president role, the Executive Committee president and CEO job comes with a salary and is a long-term appointment.
Previously, Ronnie Floyd held the office from 2019 to 2021 but left the post after the SBC’s abuse scandal came to light. Before that, Frank Page held the office from 2010 to 2018 but stepped down after admitting misconduct.
Other critics have asked why the committee did not consider interim President Willie McLaurin, who is Black. McLaurin has served in the interim role since former President and CEO Ronnie Floyd stepped down in October 2021.
Photo courtesy: ©SBC/Public Domain
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
