Excerpted from The Baptist Report: ‘NAMB faces deep deficits, polity disputes as retirees lose promised benefits.’
Polity Claims Challenged in Supreme Court Petition
The financial concerns intersect with a broader legal battle now before the U.S. Supreme Court. Former state convention executive director Will McRaney has petitioned the Court to review a Fifth Circuit ruling that dismissed his claims against NAMB under an expanded interpretation of the “church autonomy doctrine.”
McRaney alleges NAMB interfered with his employment at the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware (BCMD) — an autonomous body — and later blacklisted him, harming his career. He argues the Fifth Circuit granted NAMB immunity even though he never worked for NAMB, never served as its minister, and never submitted to its authority.
His petition contends the ruling contradicts Supreme Court precedent, which limits church‑autonomy protections to internal governance disputes. McRaney warns the Fifth Circuit’s expansion threatens the civil rights of ministers, Baptist bodies, mission agencies, and abuse survivors.
The petition also highlights what McRaney calls intentional misrepresentations by NAMB and the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), including claims that the SBC is a hierarchical denomination with “member churches.” The ERLC later admitted those statements were false.
SBC’s Own Filings Undercut Hierarchy Claims
An affidavit from SBC Executive Committee CFO William E. Townes — filed in a 2020 Virginia sexual‑abuse case — directly contradicts the hierarchical descriptions used in the McRaney litigation. Townes stated:
- The SBC “has no members.”
- The SBC “will never attempt to exercise any authority over any other Baptist body.”
- Local churches are fully autonomous.
- The SBC does not hire, supervise, or discipline ministers.
- The SBC does not control state conventions, associations, or churches
Townes emphasized that the SBC exists only when messengers convene for two days each year and otherwise operates through a separate nonprofit Executive Committee.
These statements align with long‑standing Baptist polity and with expert testimony submitted in the McRaney case, which argues that disputes between autonomous Baptist bodies are not internal church matters and therefore fall outside First Amendment immunity.
Allegations of Retaliation and Blacklisting
McRaney’s supplemental filings allege that NAMB’s actions extended well beyond his 2015 termination from BCMD. He claims NAMB:
- Posted his photo at the NAMB headquarters to bar his entry.
- Told others he was a liar and “delusional.”
- Interfered with speaking engagements and employment opportunities.
- Used SBC entities, including the Convention-owned Baptist Press, to discourage journalists from covering his case.
- Publicly misrepresented settlement discussions.
He argues these actions caused significant financial loss and emotional distress and involve no ecclesiastical questions.
What’s Next?
NAMB has waived its right to respond to McRaney’s Supreme Court petition, though the Court may still request a response. McRaney says the stakes extend far beyond his case, warning that the Fifth Circuit’s ruling could allow religious organizations to claim immunity in disputes that have nothing to do with doctrine or internal governance.
Critics argue that as NAMB cuts modest, contractually promised benefits for retirees while maintaining tens of millions in overhead and discretionary spending, the agency’s priorities — and its claims about Baptist polity — warrant closer examination.
Click here to read The Baptist Report’s entire article.
