Calls to shut down a key Southern Baptist public policy arm echoed through the convention floor Tuesday morning as Pastor Willy Rice introduced a controversial motion.

During the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual gathering in Dallas, Florida pastor Willy Rice proposed eliminating the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, sparking a divisive debate over the agency's role and future within the denomination, the Christian Post reported.

Rice, who leads Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida, proposed the SBC Annual Meeting. He asked fellow messengers to support a motion that would dismantle the ERLC, the denomination’s entity for public policy and cultural engagement.

The motion quickly received a second and even drew a round of applause from parts of the crowd. However, under SBC bylaws, such a proposal requires majority approval in two consecutive annual meetings to take effect.

This motion marks at least the fourth consecutive attempt to alter or defund the ERLC. At the 2024 meeting, a similar effort garnered over 30% of the vote but ultimately failed to move forward.

Critics Challenge ERLC’s Political Stances

Opposition to the ERLC has grown among some Southern Baptists who question its direction and past political interventions. Critics point to its previous opposition to laws punishing women for abortions and its ties with the Evangelical Immigration Table.

Former President Russell Moore also became a flashpoint. His outspoken criticism of then-President Donald Trump generated backlash and deepened existing divides about the commission’s voice in political matters.

David Schrock, pastor of Occoquan Bible Church, voiced concerns in an article published on Christ Over All, where he asked what the ERLC is doing to rebuild trust and why there remains so much persistent opposition to its work today.

Calls for Reform Versus Abolition

Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, questioned whether the ERLC continues to serve a useful role. While expressing serious reservations on a podcast in April, he made it clear he would not endorse dismantling the agency outright.

Others are using the motion as a wake-up call rather than a final judgment. William Wolfe, executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, described the vote as a timely push toward reform, stating, "It gives the ERLC one year to make major changes."

Tom Buck, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas, echoed this view. He argued that the vote should not be seen as excessive, but rather as a necessary step to push for institutional change.

Supporters Highlight Historical Wins

Meanwhile, a group of ten former SBC presidents stepped in to defend the ERLC in an open letter released in May. The authors praised the commission’s long-standing contributions to the denomination’s advocacy efforts.

The letter credited the ERLC with helping overturn Roe v. Wade, fighting to end Planned Parenthood funding, and championing biblical positions on issues like gender identity and family values. It argued for refining rather than eliminating the institution.

The authors also warned against dismantling the agency too hastily. "There is a difference between refinement and eradication," they wrote, suggesting that ERLC should be reshaped constructively rather than scrapped entirely.

Former President Emphasizes Dialogue

Richard D. Land, who served as ERLC president from 1988 to 2013, also weighed in on the discussion. Now an editor at The Christian Post, Land advocated for deeper dialogue among Southern Baptists, rather than abolishment.

He argued that challenges tied to a denominational entity should be met with more communication and cooperation. According to Land, ending the ERLC could cause more division than resolution within the convention.

The motion introduced by Rice must now wait for the 2026 Annual Meeting for a second vote. SBC messengers will have a year to assess whether changes take place and whether the ERLC convinces enough voters of its continued value.