By Baptist Message staff
NASHVILLE (LBM) – Less than a day after Brent Leatherwood reportedly was relieved of his duties as president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, trustees announced that he remains in the position, July 23.
Additionally, Kevin Smith has resigned as chair of the ERLC’s executive committee.
According to a news release from the entity, “There was not an authorized meeting, vote, or action taken by the Executive Committee. Kevin Smith has resigned as Chair of the Executive Committee. Brent Leatherwood remains the President of the ERLC and has our support moving forward.”
On Monday evening, the ERLC’s executive committee of the board of trustees had announced that Leatherwood was removed from his position. Though no reason was given at the time, Leatherwood’s statement to Baptist Press regarding President Joe Biden’s decision not to run for re-election sparked backlash by some in the SBC. In the article, Leatherwood said: “We should all express our appreciation that President Biden has put the needs of the nation above his personal ambition. Despite what some partisans will say, to walk away from power is a selfless act – the kind that has become all too rare in our culture.”
After he was reinstated, Leatherwood thanked those who reached out to him.
“I deeply appreciate everyone who has reached out, especially our trustees who were absolutely bewildered at what took place yesterday and jumped in to set the record straight,” he posted on X (formerly known as Twitter). “More to come.”
The Tennessean newspaper reported that Smith, in a now-deleted post on X, apologized for what transpired on July 22.
“The trustees of the (Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission) steward the entity on behalf Southern Baptists. In leading them, I made a consequential procedural mistake. The (executive committee) and other trustees are Christ-honoring volunteers, who give much. The mistake was mine; I apologize.”
