A Southern Baptist pastor has introduced a new motion calling for the complete dissolution of the denomination’s public policy entity, spotlighting persistent disagreements over its leadership and direction.

According to the Christian Post, Pastor Willy Rice of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida, introduced the motion to abolish the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) during the Southern Baptist Convention's Annual Meeting on Tuesday in Dallas, Texas.

The ERLC has served as the SBC’s voice on public policy since 1908. However, its current role has drawn increasing criticism from within the denomination over recent years.

Rice’s proposal was seconded by another messenger at the meeting and received some applause from attendees. Under SBC bylaws, any effort to dissolve an entity must pass by majority vote at two consecutive annual meetings to take effect.

Mixed Reactions Reflect Broader Divide

This is not the first time the ERLC has come under fire. Similar motions were introduced at the last three annual meetings, and while none succeeded, support has grown, with the 2024 attempt garnering backing from over 30% of messengers.

Supporters of Rice’s 2025 motion view it as a way to prompt meaningful reform within the ERLC rather than an immediate measure for dismantlement. William Wolfe, executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, called the vote “a clock”, giving the commission a year to implement major changes.

Wolfe expressed hope that the ERLC would use the time to listen to concerns, address criticisms, and demonstrate efforts toward accountability before next year’s vote. Echoing this notion, Tom Buck, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas, emphasized the message wasn’t extreme but a call for correction.

Calls for Reform or Elimination

Critics have pointed to several specific issues within the ERLC. Some question its stance on abortion, namely the commission’s opposition to criminal penalties for women who seek the procedure.

Additional criticism has been directed at the ERLC’s cooperation with the Evangelical Immigration Table, a coalition of faith groups advocating for immigration reform. Detractors argue these positions stray from conservative grassroots sentiment.

The leadership of former ERLC president Russell Moore, known for publicly opposing former President Donald Trump, also became a flashpoint within SBC circles. Moore’s outspokenness led to increased polarization surrounding the commission’s political approach.

Prominent SBC Figures Offer Differing Opinions

David Schrock, pastor at Occoquan Bible Church in Virginia, published a commentary raising questions about trust and the ERLC’s future direction. He posed key questions about transparency and what the best version of the entity should look like going forward.

Meanwhile, Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, expressed serious concern about the ERLC’s current effectiveness. Although he questioned its utility, Mohler was clear that he would not support efforts to abolish it.

In contrast, an open letter received in May 2025 from 10 former SBC presidents voiced robust support for the ERLC. These leaders credited the organization’s efforts in helping overturn Roe v. Wade and praised its ongoing work in opposing transgender ideology and pornography.

Former Leaders Call for Stewardship

The former presidents acknowledged that while improvement was necessary, outright dismantling was not the solution. They urged Southern Baptists to approach reform with unity and a sense of responsibility for institutional stewardship.

“A sledgehammer is not the tool for adjusting a mirror,” the letter stated, suggesting that refining the ERLC was preferable to eliminating it. The letter called upon messengers and trustees to partner cooperatively within the SBC framework.

Richard Land, who led the ERLC from 1988 to 2013, joined the chorus of voices opposing abolition. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and constructive conversation over elimination.

Next Steps Could Define Direction

With the motion now officially introduced, its fate will be determined over the next year. If carried again during the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting, it could result in the closure of an entity that has served for more than a century.

Proponents argue that this process allows time for the ERLC to reflect, adjust, and present evidence of meaningful reform to messengers gathered in Orlando next year. Opponents warn, however, that such a move might deepen divisions within the SBC at a critical point in its history.

As the debate continues, Southern Baptists across the country are engaging in renewed discussions about the ERLC’s place in church life and national advocacy — discussions likely to shape the denomination’s future for years to come.