Meeting Oct. 5 for a second special-called meeting, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted 44 to 31 to waive attorney-client privilege in an investigation to be conducted by Guidepost Solutions. Four members didn’t vote, while six resigned prior to the meeting.
The motion to waive attorney-client privilege was made by Jared Wellman, a member from Texas. The motion read:
“I move that the Executive Committee authorize our Chairman to execute the contract with Guidepost that we received on October 1, 2021 which includes waiver of attorney-client privilege in accordance with the action of the messengers to the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention.”
The meeting was called to finalize an agreement with Guidepost Solutions and to waive the EC’s attorney-client privilege as requested in a motion by messengers to the SBC Annual Meeting in June and the Sexual Abuse Task Force, appointed by SBC President Ed Litton.
Following the vote, Rolland Slade, EC Chairman, stated, “I can say to you truly as chairman of the Executive Committee, I’d like to express my relief that this present challenge seems to be behind us. Also, I want to express sorrow over the conduct that we have displayed as Southern Baptists over the course of this absolutely necessary deliberative process.”
He expressed his dismay that “brothers and sisters have demonized one another for having reasonable disagreements as everyone sought to fulfill not to defy the will of the messengers.” Slade further decried what he called “absolutely unnecessary” personal attacks EC and Task Force members along with the legal representatives.
Slade then called on Southern Baptists to stop attacking one another and to move forward. “Most importantly,” Slade said, “It’s time to know for sure where we have fallen short on the question of sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention so that we can correct any errors and move into the future as a convention.”
After thanking EC members for their time and patience, he extolled “let’s roll up our sleeves and work with the task force to move the Convention ahead!”
Litton released a statement at the conclusion of the meeting:
“Today the SBC Executive Committee voted to fulfill the mandate delivered by the messengers in Nashville this past June. I am grateful, especially after many difficult weeks of discussion, that the full, transparent, and unimpeded investigation will now commence. Even so, it is critical to remember that today’s vote marks not the end, but the beginning of this process. Sexual abuse is antithetical to the gospel of Christ. It has no place in the Southern Baptist Convention. And it is my prayer that all Southern Baptists will remain resolute in our commitment to preventing abuse, caring for survivors, and taking whatever steps are necessary to implement reforms.”
Watch for additional updates.