By Will Hall, Baptist Message Executive Editor NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – During April 4 arguments before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, the lawyer for the North American Mission Board, the domestic mission arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, argued that the strategic partnership agreement (SPA) it negotiates with a state convention establishes an “ecclesiastical” governance for the two parties. The claim was part of the latest development in the seven-year legal battle by Will McRaney against NAMB for its alleged defamation and tortious influence that led to his termination as executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. ARGUMENTS During the 43-minute oral presentations before the Court, lawyers for both parties made multiple points and responded to pointed questioning by the justices. However, each attorney tightly focused on his respective legal position. NAMB’s lawyer claimed that that the Court did not have jurisdiction in the matter because of “ecclesiastical abstention” (a legal precedent that prevents courts from deciding matters of faith such as religious doctrine) and “ministerial exception” (the legal principle which prevents a court from interfering in issues … [Read more...]