2021 SBC ANNUAL MEETING NASHVILLE, TN.

NAAF 2021 SBC CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS & PERSPECTIVE

- PRE-CONVENTION CONCERNS - REFLECTIONS OF BLACK PASTORS & LEADERS - MEETING HIGHLIGHTS - MOTIONS & RESOLUTIONS

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NAAF Reflections, Highlights & Perspectives on the 2021 Annual Southern Baptist Convention

PRE-CONVENTION CONCERNS Before the 2021 Convention, a considerable amount of apprehension existed among many Black SBC Pastors & Leaders who were concerned about decisions the convention would make regarding: • Electing an SBC President. Because the SBC President sets the tone, direction, and overall agenda for the SBC, African American apprehension centered on the convention electing a President that could lead the SBC forward versus a President that would further divide Southern Baptists. Of the four announced candidates, two are very outspoken and seen by many as polarizing figures who would not be able to unify the SBC; one ran on a platform that was largely anti-SBC entities and the fourth (Ed Litton) who has a history of racial reconciliation and bridge-building. • Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality (CRT/I). For many, the convention’s response to Resolution 9 (CRT/I) would be a tacit referendum on where the SBC stands on the issue of race and indirectly, the presence of Blacks in the SBC. • Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations & the Role of Women in Ministry. The failure of the SBC to address the matter of sexual abuse in SBC churches in an open and forthright manner has not only brought national disgrace and embarrassment to the SBC, but it has also communicated the absolute worse message of how the SBC values women. REFLECTIONS OF BLACK PASTORS & LEADERS - What Black SBC Pastors & Leaders have said about the 2021 Annual Convention - Pastor (LA). First Black SBC President: “Impressed with the fact that there was AA participation on stage leading worship, as well as a part of various committee reports, agencies and on the Vision Stage in the Exhibit area. Rejoice in the fact that Ed Litton was elected as President of the SBC, who has an excellent record in the area racial reconciliation.” Pastor Adron Robinson (IL). Member of the SBC Executive Committee: “Overall I am encouraged by the direction the convention is heading. The convention as a whole took a stand against racism and abuse while affirming its commitment to the authority of scripture. I’m excited about the election of Ed Litton and I look forward to working with him, in the future.” Pastor Reginald Hayes (OH). President of the State Convention of Ohio: “One takeaway for me, which was stellar, was observing the intense debate from varying ideologies of autonomous Southern Baptists & knowing enemies of the SBC were salivating to see internal wounding from within. Yet, instead, the people of the SBC were able to disagree on the minor and in the end, hugely coalesced on major biblical doctrines.” Pastor Stan Parker (MI). President, Michigan African American Fellowship: “The Messengers stepped up and demonstrated their authority within the SBC by rejecting several recommendations from SBC National Committees.”

1 Sis. Carolyn Fountain (LA). Member SBC Executive Committee: “Based on my vantage point from the stage, messengers are getting younger & seem to be more involved when it comes to issues such as CRT & the future of women in the convention. This gives me some comfort.” Pastor Kevin James (CA). NAAF Secretary: “The SBC at-large truly have a concern for the African American churches and members. More are being elected to have a seat at the table where decisions are being made …” Pastor Marshal Ausberry (VA). Immediate past-President of NAAF & former SBC 1st VP: “As I reflect on the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention the most significant event was the election of Ed Litton to the SBC presidency. His presidency will continue the SBC to be biblically conservative, holding to the sufficiency of Scripture, and faithfulness to the Baptist Faith and Message, and a welcoming presence for all like-minded racial and ethnic peoples. I also see that the messengers approving the sexual abuse task force to examine actions of the past and chart a clear path for the future making it unequivocally clear that sexual abuse will not be tolerated.” Sis. Jacki Anderson (MD). Member of the Advancement Council: The Ministers’ Wives Luncheon was a blessing and a great time of fellowship. There was much tension leading up to the convention, but the leaders knew the importance of PRAYER, so they took the time for a season of prayer during the opening session. The convention was then able to move forward and focus on its mission and vision while addressing critical social issues. I’m looking forward to attending the 2022 convention in Anaheim!” Pastor Jason Lumpkin (GA), At-large member of NAAF: “Observed how passionate everyone was about the future of the SBC. What was troubling was how some candidates and their supporters operated as of this was a political campaign and convention. However, I am hopeful because the opportunity I saw was if we can get people this passionate to focus on issues that really matter and have a lasting impact, then real change and revival can take place in this country and this convention. If we can get on one accord, nothing we set our minds to do will be impossible.” Sis. Renee Trewick (NY), Chairwoman of GuideStone Financial Resources: “While video-taping messengers leaving an afternoon session, I was struck at the sight of the large number of people - men and women, young and old, Black, White, Asian and Hispanic, all moving as one, headed in the same direction. At that moment, I saw the incredible potential of the SBC. A potential that can be realized if we keep talking to one another and stay focused on our God given mission”. Rev. Erik Vance (GA), an African American not affiliated with SBC - attending as a guest. “I received an invite this year to attend the SBC and my initial thought was, there’s no way I attend the SBC. But as the days passed by, the more I watched the issues play out on social media about racial tensions, the political climate, and all of the sexual abuse allegations, I was led to attend out of curiosity. Attending the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville changed my perspective and views, as I witnessed a denomination with a dark past trying to turn the corner on racial issues; addressing sexual abuse and their dealings with minorities. When the people selected Ed Litton I felt that was a step in the right direction. At the SBC in Nashville, this time, the SBC was on the right side of history when it comes to racial reconciliation. How do I know? Because I sensed and felt the love of God from people who don’t look like me. That gives me hope and joy about the future of the SBC and Body of Christ.”

2 CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS Attendance: • Over 21,000 SBC messengers & guests attended the 2021 Annual SBC Convention in Nashville, TN; the largest Convention attendance in 25 years • The NAAF Annual Business Meeting was standing room only • The NAAF Banquet was sold out Elections & Appointments: • SBC President: Pastor Ed Litton, Mobile, AL., nominated by NAAF Pastor Fred Luter, was elected SBCPresident. Dr. Litton, who has a history of building bridges and working for racial reconciliation, was a NAAF presenter at the 2017 Black Church Leadership & Family Conference. • African American Pastor Roland Slade (San Diego), was re-elected Chairman of the SBC Executive Committee. • NAAF Pastor Erik Cummings (FL), elected Chairman of the Convention Events and Planning Committee for the 2022 SBC Convention to be held in Anaheim, CA. • NAAF President Pastor Frank Williams (NY), elected to the North American Mission Board • Sis. Carolyn Fountain (LA), elected to the SBC Executive Board • Sis. Archalena Coats (FL), elected to the SBC Executive Board Post Convention Appointments: • NAAF Pastor Bucas Sterling III (MD), appointed to a seven-member task force to oversee an independent review of the E.C.’s handling of sexual abuse claims. • NAAF past - President, Pastor AB Vines (CA.) appointed to the E.R.L.C. (Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission) Presidential Search Committee. Convention Statistical Reports: • Black SBC Churches increased 289% from 1,007 in 1990 to 3,920 in 2018 - which represents the highest numerical & percentage growth in the SBC. • Black SBC church membership increased 35.5% from 254,961 in 1990 to 907,420 in 2018 • In 2020-21, over 50% of SBC National Committee appointments were non-Anglo • Ethnic churches currently make up 23% of all SBC congregations • 60% of all churches planted by the SBC in the past 10 years were non-Anglo. Black (Convention) Presence & Participation: • There was a noticeable increase in the number of young African Americans attending the Convention as well as the NAAF Business Meeting & Banquet. • There was also a noticeable increase in the presence and participation of African Americans on the Convention’s stage - presiding over general sessions; leading worship and giving Committee Reports. Messengers Assert Authority over SBC Boards & Committees: Another significant highlight of the 2021 Convention were the actions taken by Messengers which served as a reminder that the SBC is not a hierarchical, top-down convention. In the SBC, final decisions on SBC matters are made (bottom up) by Messengers from SBC churches and not by SBC Boards or

3 Committees. This reality was clearly evidenced when Messengers voted to reject two significant recommendations proposed by the SBC Executive Committee: 1) Expanded Control of CP Allocations. Messengers soundly rejected the Executive Committee’s proposed revision to its Business and Financial Plan - which among other things, would have given the E.C. the authority to escrow (withhold) C.P. funds if it was felt an SBC entity was not operating consistent with the convention’s expectations. With the Russell Moore matter still fresh in the minds of many, Messengers felt that granting the E.C. authority to withhold funds from an Entity, could become politicized and possibly used as a means of controlling an Entity President. Additionally, Messengers did not feel it would be wise to permit the E.C. to withhold funds from an entity that messengers have voted to support. 2) Investigation of Responses to Sexual Abuse. Background: For the last two decades victims of sexual abuse in SBC churches have been speaking out about their experiences and calling for the SBC to respond compassionately to survivors and prevent sexual predators from doing further harm to the vulnerable in SBC churches. There have been credible and corroborated reports that leaders in the SBC, from local churches - up to the Executive Committee, have intimidated victims and their advocates; sought to silence and slander them, and stonewalled efforts for reform and accountability. At the 2019 SBC meeting, SBC leadership promised that these issues would be dealt with. In the months leading up to the 2021 meeting, a growing number of pastors began to question if the EC had kept its promise to deal with the issue. In late May 2021, when e-mails written (earlier) by Dr. Russell Moore, were released - citing the “crises of sexual abuse within the SBC” and the “behind closed doors” response of some E.C. leaders, a firestorm of protests erupted over the E.C’s handling of sexual abuse allegations. Shortly before the convention, word began circulating that a motion would be made at the convention calling for a third party investigation of the Executive Committee’s handling of sexual abuse allegations. Three days before the convention (June 11), the EC announced that it had retained an outside firm to conduct a review of the EC handling of abuse allegations and that the firm would report its findings back to the EC and onto the convention. News that the outside investigation firm would report back to the SBC EC was not well received - as messengers felt that “those under investigation should not have control over an investigation of themselves”. When a motion to appoint a task force to oversee the work of a third party investigation was initially referred to the Executive Committee for consideration, a subsequent motion to over-ride the decision of the Chair passed by the required 2/3 votes. This extraordinary rejection of an Executive Board recommendation and over-ride of the fairly standard procedure of referring motions to the EC for consideration, clearly demonstrated that Messengers wield the ultimate authority on all matters related to the SBC.

MOTIONS & RESOLUTIONS 1. Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality (CRT/I) As previously stated, one major apprehension many had heading into the 2021 Convention was the actions that SBC Messengers might take regarding “Resolution 9: Critical Race Theory & Intersectionality.” The adoption of Resolution 9 in 2019, which was widely criticized by some pastors

4 and leaders across the country, prompted several State Conventions to adopt anti-CRT policies. This led to an unprecedented rejection of an SBC Resolution and prompted the Council of Seminary Presidents (CSP) of the six SBC Seminaries to make a public statement also rejecting it as incompatible with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. This action by the CSP turned the eyes of the nation on the SBC and its history of racism and racial bias. Despite the rejection of CRT/I by many in the SBC, NAAF has consistently voiced its belief that while CRT/I is theologically flawed and does not represent a Biblical worldview, there are some elements of CRT/I that can be useful as an analytical tool for understanding and uncovering racism in human behavior and systems. In addition to those who went to the 2021 Convention expecting to engage in debates and to vote on motions to rescind and repudiate all things related to CRT/I, there were also a number of Black SBC pastors at home watching to see how the SBC would act on CRT/I. Believing that the real issue on the table was the SBC’s position on race and racism, many Black pastors, felt the actions taken by messengers would impact their decision to stay in or leave the SBC.After much debate, Resolution 9 (CRT/I) was NOT voted down nor rescinded by Messengers! To clarity the SBC’s position on race and racism and to bring peace in the Convention, the Messengers adopted Resolution 2 “On The Sufficiency of Scripture for Race and Racial Reconciliation” which essentially affirms the principles of Resolution 9 without specifically referencing CRT/I . For many attending the Convention, this was seen as a very positive outcome. If you’d like more information on Resolution 2, see Exhibit I, which highlights and compares several provisions of both Resolutions. 2. Sexual Abuse Response: Messengers by a margin of 90-95%, adopted a motion calling for an independent, third-party investigation that would: 1) be open 2) make its findings public and 3) serve under the oversight of a task-force appointed by the newly elected SBC President (NAAF Vice-President Bucas Sterling III, has been appointed to serve on the seven-member oversight task-force). 3. Racial Discrimination and Sexual Abuse: Messengers adopted a Constitutional & ByLaws change that expands the definition of cooperating Cooperating Church regarding Racial Discrimination & Sexual Abuse. The change provides for the disfellowshipping of any SBC church found guilty of racism or harboring sexual predators. 4. Vision 2025: The Messengers voted in favor of the Executive Committee’s “Vision 2025” which includes five goals for the SBC over the next few years, but only after an amendment from the floor added a sixth goal which stipulated that the SBC would “Prayerfully endeavor to eliminate all incidents of sexual abuse and racial discrimination among our churches.” As one Anglo pastor noted, this amendment was necessary in order to communicate to the Executive Committee that messengers are serious about their commitment to addressing sexual abuse and racism in the SBC (sbc.net/vision2025). Appeal: Dr. shared during his report “We need the power of God; therefore, we need to pray more than ever before. When we pray God places his power on our lives.” Dr. Floyd is calling on all churches to join in a massive prayer movement. If you are led to do so, text VISION to 90885 to join over 6,000 Southern Baptists on the Vision 2025 prayer team. Sbc.net/vision-2025

5 EXHIBIT I

1. Resolution 9 adopted in 2019: Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality: https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-critical-race-theory-and-intersectionality/

2. Resolution 2, adopted in 2021: The Sufficiency of Scripture for Race & Racial Reconciliation: https://www.sbc.net/resource-library/resolutions/on-the-sufficiency-of-scripture-for-race-and-racial- reconciliation/

Summary Comparisons - Resolution 9 and Resolution 2

I. Resolution 9: “WHEREAS Critical race theory is a set of analytical tools that explain how race has and continues to function in society, and intersectionality is the study of how different personal characteristics overlap and inform one’s experience” Resolution 2 - neither affirming nor rejecting CRT as an analytical tool, Resolution 2 points to scripture as the primary determinate of human behavior. “RESOLVED, That we deny any philosophy or theology that fundamentally defines individuals using categories identified as sinful in Scripture rather than the transcendent reality shared by every image bearer and divinely affirmed distinctions“

II. Resolution 9: “WHEREAS, Critical race theory and intersectionality have been appropriated by individuals with world-views that are contrary to the Christian faith, resulting in ideologies and methods that contradict Scripture”. Resolution 2 - reaffirms the sufficiency of scripture; rejects theories or world-views which contradict scripture. “RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Nashville, TN, June 15–16, 2021, affirm the sufficiency of Scripture on race and racial reconciliation”

III. Resolution 9: “WHEREAS, Evangelical scholars who affirm the authority and sufficiency of Scripture has employed selective insights from critical race theory and intersectionality to understand multifaceted social dynamics” Resolution 2 - while not explicitly rejecting the use of insights from CRT/I to understand social dynamics, Resolution 2 rejects the use of theories and world-views which suggests human behavior is primarily determined by ethnicity and or group/social dynamics. “RESOLVED, That we reject any theory or worldview that finds the ultimate identity of human beings in ethnicity or any other group dynamic”

IV. Resolution 9: “WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message states, “[A]ll Scripture is true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard

6 by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried” (Article 1).

Resolution 2 - reaffirms the sufficiency and trustworthiness of scripture. “WHEREAS, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)” “WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states, “All Scripture is true and trustworthy” (Article I)”

V. Resolution 9: “WHEREAS, Critical race theory and intersectionality alone are insufficient to diagnose and redress the root causes of the social ills that they identify, which result from sin, yet these analytical tools can aid in evaluating a variety of human experiences” Resolution 2 - while affirming the sufficiency of scripture to identify sin - as the root cause of social ills and scripture’s sufficiency to redress sin and its consequences, Resolution 2 neither affirms nor rejects the use of analytical tools such as CRT/I as an aid in evaluating human experiences. “RESOLVED, That we reject any theory or worldview that sees the primary problem of humanity as anything other than sin against God and the ultimate solution as anything other than redemption found only in Christ”

VI. Resolution 9: WHEREAS, The New Covenant further unites image-bearers by creating a new humanity that will one day inhabit the new creation, and that the people of this new humanity, though descended from every nation, tribe, tongue, and people, are all one through the gospel of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:16; Revelation 21:1–4, 9–14); Resolution 2 - reaffirms the unity of believers “WHEREAS, Christian citizenship is not based on our differences but instead on our common salvation in Christ—the source of our truest and ultimate identity”

VII. Resolution 9: “WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention is committed to racial reconciliation built upon biblical presuppositions and is committed to seeking biblical justice through biblical means” Resolution 2 - Reaffirms Resolution 9 “RESOLVED, That we reaffirm our agreement with historic, biblically-faithful Southern Baptist condemnations of racism in all forms; RESOLVED, That, understanding we live in a fallen world, we reaffirm the 1995 Resolution On Racial Reconciliation On The 150th Anniversary Of The Southern Baptist Convention, which includes, “That we apologize to all African-Americans for condoning and/or perpetuating individual and systemic racism in our lifetime, and we genuinely repent of racism of which we have been guilty, whether consciously (Psalm 19:13) or unconsciously (Leviticus 4:27),” applying this disposition to every instance of racism; forms”

7 VIII. Resolution 9: “RESOLVED, That critical race theory and intersectionality should only be employed as analytical tools subordinate to Scripture—not as transcendent ideological frameworks” Resolution 2 - does not dispute or reject.

IX. Resolution 9: RESOLVED, That Southern Baptists will carefully analyze how the information gleaned from these tools are employed to address social dynamics; Resolution 2 - does not address

X. Resolution 9: RESOLVED, That Southern Baptist churches and institutions repudiate the misuse of insights gained from critical race theory, intersectionality, and any unbiblical ideologies that can emerge from their use when absolutized as a worldview; Resolution 2 - affirms Resolution 9 “RESOLVED, That we reject any theory or worldview that sees the primary problem of humanity as anything other than sin against God and the ultimate solution as anything other than redemption found only in Christ”

XI. Resolution 9: RESOLVED, That while we denounce the misuse of critical race theory and intersectionality, we do not deny that ethnic, gender and cultural distinctions exist and are a gift from God that will give Him absolute glory when all humanity gathers around His throne in worship because of the redemption accomplished by our resurrected Lord; Resolution 2 - while not affirming or rejecting the existence of ethnic, gender, or cultural distinctions, it does affirm the unity of believers through faith in Christ. “WHEREAS, “Through faith [we] are all sons of God in Christ Jesus … There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28)”

XII. Resolution 9: “RESOLVED, That Southern Baptist churches seek to exhibit this eschatological promise in our churches in the present by focusing on unity in Christ amid image-bearers and rightly celebrate our differences as determined by God in the new creation. Resolution 2 - affirms Resolution 9 “RESOLVED, We affirm that our reconciliation in Christ gives us the opportunity and responsibility to pursue reconciliation with others so that we can display and share the hope of the gospel with the world” “WHEREAS, In his prophetic vision John saw “a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before

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