NASHVILLE — Dan Summerlin has withdrawn from being considered as the SBC Executive Committee transitional interim president and CEO. Jonathan Howe will continue to serve in the role as the EC officers search for another interim candidate. EC Chairman Philip Robertson made the announcement in Tuesday’s (Sept. 19) Executive Committee meeting. “Regretfully, Dan Summerlin has withdrawn his name from consideration to be the transitional interim president and CEO,” Robertson said.

NASHVILLE — During a three-hour executive session Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 19), SBC Executive Committee members learned that no further legal action would take place regarding the departure of former interim president and CEO Willie McLaurin. In addition, Kentucky pastor Dan Summerlin voluntarily removed his name from consideration for the transitional role. In a press conference following the meeting, EC Chairman Philip Robertson, who learned of Summerlin’s decision Monday evening, presented

NASHVILLE — Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee members were hit with another disappointment during the final plenary session of their fall meeting on Sept. 19. EC Chairman and Louisiana pastor Philip Robertson announced that Dan Summerlin, the recently retired Kentucky pastor who had been announced the day before as a candidate for the role of transitional interim president and CEO of the entity, informed EC officers Tuesday he had changed

NASHVILLE — While the anticipated next step regarding who will temporarily lead the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee in the interim period changed mid-way through the trustees’ meeting this week, trustee chair Philip Robertson plans to begin a new search right away. Recently retired Kentucky pastor Dan Summerlin provided this statement yesterday afternoon (Sept. 19) after alerting Robertson  on Sept. 18 of his decision: “Upon further reflection it has become

NASHVILLE — In a streamlined, soft-spoken and straightforward manner, Jonathan Howe, interim president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee, calmly outlined the current reality facing the EC. Sharing the news during the opening plenary session of the board of trustees’ meeting, held Sept. 18-19  in Nashville, Howe called for a spirit of humility and unity from all Southern Baptists. ‘Distressing actions’ “We are facing significant challenges,” he said. “Over

NASHVILE — As the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee gathered on the night of Sept. 18 in Nashville amid economic challenges, ongoing conflicts and a barrage of troubling headlines, Bart Barber challenged trustees to “look past those who tear down” and focus on cooperation — and the One “who will go before us and give us the victory.” During his message, the SBC president reflected on how Southern Baptists have

NASHVILLE — The team responsible for selecting a new president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee reported to fellow EC members during their meeting on Sept. 18, saying they are working “diligently and expeditiously.” Neal Hughes, chairman of the SBC Executive Committee President/CEO Search Team, outlined in the report the four phases into which the team has divided its work: The invitation phase, the interview phase, the

NASHVILLE — As the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee gathered in Nashville on Sept. 18-19, the group comprised of 86 trustees — which includes pastors, ministry leaders and laypeople representing 41 state and regional Baptist conventions from across the country — will work together in four smaller committees to address specific Convention business. While plenary sessions are “on the record,” media and others who attend the various committee meetings that

NASHVILLE — A recently retired Kentucky Baptist pastor will be nominated to serve as the SBC Executive Committee transitional interim president and CEO this week in Nashville. The nomination of Dan Summerlin will be a joint recommendation of Philip Robertson, EC chairman, Jonathan Howe, current interim, and the EC officers. “Dr. Dan Summerlin is a proven leader with four decades of service at many levels of Convention life,” said Philip

NASHVILLE — The SBC Executive Committee made staff adjustments on Sept. 13 that eliminated five staff positions and two contractor positions, according to a statement. “Over the past few weeks our current leadership and officers met at length to determine various ways to most effectively steward the resources provided to us by Southern Baptist churches,” said Jonathan Howe, EC interim president. “As a result, our financial realities have led to