Southern Baptist Convention Awaits New Leadership as Pastor Willy Rice Reenters the Scene
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is gearing up for potential changes in leadership with Pastor Willy Rice of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida, announcing his candidacy for the presidency at next year’s conference. This marks a significant moment for the SBC as it navigates a period of reflection and renewal.
In a recent video, Rice invoked the Protestant Reformation’s spirit, emphasizing the Church’s need for continuous reform. “The Church is always reforming,” Rice stated, underscoring his vision for renewal within the SBC. He stressed that the denomination faces “real concerns” that require “serious reflection, humble correction and a new day of renewal.”
The upcoming SBC Annual Meeting, slated for June of 2026 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center, will be a pivotal event. Rice’s journey to this nomination has seen its ups and downs. Initially nominated in 2022 by current SBC President Clint Pressley, Rice was praised as someone who embodies the best of Southern Baptists. “He loves Southern Baptists, believes in Southern Baptists, and has demonstrated at every level of our convention his ability to lead Southern Baptists,” Pressley shared with Baptist Press.
However, Rice’s 2022 candidacy was marred by controversy when it emerged that Calvary Baptist Church had ordained a deacon with a history of sexual misconduct. This revelation led to Rice withdrawing his candidacy, stating in a statement that he was in an “untenable position” due to the harm caused to his church.
Rice has remained active in the SBC, notably proposing to abolish the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) earlier this year. He cited concerns about the ERLC’s associations with external progressive groups, stating, “Facts are stubborn things, and the evidence is clear and the trust is broken.” Rice emphasized the need to “reforge” the ERLC into an entity free from outside influence.
Despite Rice’s push for abolishment, his proposal did not pass, with 56.89% of messengers voting against it. The ERLC’s supporters, including Pastor Steve Willis, have defended its pro-life initiatives. Willis highlighted the ERLC’s success in providing sonogram machines to centers like the one his wife is involved with.
Richard Land, a former ERLC president, argued against the dismantling of the commission, writing in a Christian Post article that dialogue, not abolition, was the solution. “The answer to such disagreements related to one of our entities is greater discussion and dialogue, not eliminating the entity altogether,” Land contended.
As the SBC looks toward its next chapter, the upcoming election and the issues raised by Rice’s candidacy will play a crucial role in shaping the convention’s future. Meanwhile, Clint Pressley, who was reelected earlier this year, will be stepping down as SBC president, adhering to the convention’s term limits.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
