The Baptist Paper has released a series of Explainer articles related to this year’s SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas.
During the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, messengers (official representatives sent by cooperating churches to attend, make motions and vote) help shape the direction of the Convention by submitting and voting on motions. Here’s how the process works:
What is a motion?
A motion is a formal request made by a messenger, asking the SBC to take action, study an issue or change a process related to the Convention’s work.
How is a motion submitted?
- Any registered messenger may go to a microphone during designated business sessions.
- The motion must be clearly stated and relevant to the Convention’s ministries, procedures or structure.
- Motions are recorded in the Convention’s official record.
What happens after a motion is submitted?
- In rare cases, a motion may be acted on immediately if it falls directly under the Convention’s authority.
- Most motions are referred to:
- An SBC entity for study or response, which gives the appropriate people time to consider the motion carefully.
- The Committee on Order of Business for further review.
- Some motions are ruled out of order if they:
- Violate local church or entity autonomy.
- Are outside the convention’s authority.
- Are unclear or procedurally inappropriate.
What happens to motions that are referred?
- Referred motions are usually acted upon by the appropriate SBC entity.
- The SBC entity to whom the motion was referred will report back to the messengers at the following year’s annual meeting.
- Messengers can override committee referrals and bring matters back to the floor with sufficient support.
What if messengers want to act on a motion immediately?
- If messengers believe a motion should be acted on during the current meeting rather than being referred, they can move to bring the matter back to the floor. This is called a “motion to override the referral.”
- To override a referral and bring a motion back for immediate debate and action.
- A messenger goes to the microphone and makes a motion for the Convention to consider the original motion immediately.
- The chair calls for a vote on whether to consider the motion immediately.
- If two-thirds of the messengers vote in favor, the motion is brought back to the floor for discussion and a possible vote.
Motion vs. Resolution — What’s the difference?
- Motions request specific actions or decisions.
- Resolutions express the Convention’s opinions or concerns, but do not direct any action.
Special cases — How are the SBC Constitution or Bylaws changed?
- An amendment is proposed as a motion and goes through the motion process stated above.
- When the amendment is brought to the messengers for a vote, it must be approved by a two-thirds majority of messengers at two consecutive annual meetings.
How does SBC polity affect the local church?
- The SBC is a voluntary association of autonomous churches.
- Passed motions do not govern local churches or entities.
- Passed motions can influence how the convention operates and relates to its partners.
