In a move that has raised eyebrows within the denomination, Southern Baptist podcaster and Executive Committee member, Jonathan Howe has been appointed as the interim president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee, following the sudden resignation of Willie McLaurin. While the announcement may appear as a routine administrative change, it uncovers a disconcerting pattern that threatens the very principles that have defined Southern Baptists.
The necessity for the change arose following the discovery that McLaurin lied on his job application, either never attending the schools or never completing a course of study at the schools he listed on his resume. The team vetting McLaurin for the permanent position also found at least two diplomas that were proven fraudulent. This latest revelation added to a line of turmoil at the beleaguered SBC entity, including previous resignations following allegations of "mishandlings" of sex abuse claims. McLaurin's sudden departure left a vacancy that needed to be filled, leading to the late Friday night appointment of Howe.
What the SBC establishment is not openly revealing to you, however, is the connection between Howe and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), a denomination that has publicly adopted pro-LGBTQ and pro-abortion stances.