The Baptist Paper has released a series of Explainer articles related to this year’s SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas.
As Southern Baptists gather in Dallas for the 2025 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, finances are expected to be a major topic of discussion.
One key issue is the Executive Committee’s request for messengers — voting representatives from local churches — to approve the use of Cooperative Program funds for legal expenses.
The request, which comes amid ongoing lawsuits related to the SBC’s handling of sexual abuse, has sparked debate among leaders, messengers and church members. It also raises broader questions about financial transparency, accountability, and the stewardship of shared ministry funds.
Covered in this article:
- What is happening?
- Why does it matter?
- How are the lawsuits connected to the transparency debate?
- What does the Executive Committee say?
- What do transparency advocates say?
- What transparency measures are in place now?
- What will messengers be asked to do?
What Is Happening?
The SBC Executive Committee is asking messengers to allow the use of CP funds to cover legal costs — primarily related to lawsuits involving how the denomination has handled reports of sexual abuse.
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In the past, the EC has relied on insurance policies and reserve funds to pay for legal expenses. But those funds are now running low, and anticipated legal costs continue to grow. As a result, the EC says it must look to the CP for help.
This request has become a key issue in a broader conversation about how SBC entities handle finances. Some Southern Baptists are now calling for:
- Greater transparency in financial reporting.
- Public access to detailed financial information, including data typically found on IRS 990 forms (such as executive salaries and payments to contractors).
- Standardized, regular reporting in a format that’s easy for church members to understand.
Why Does it Matter?
The CP is a funding system supported by thousands of churches nationwide. It supports the SBC’s core ministries, including international missions, church planting, theological education and disaster relief.
Because many Southern Baptists view the CP as a vital tool for advancing their shared mission, any proposal to use CP funds for legal expenses has drawn increased attention. The discussion raises broader questions about financial oversight and governance within the SBC, including:
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How are decisions about CP spending made?
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Who is responsible for oversight?
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What role do transparency and accountability play in addressing or preventing legal challenges?
Decisions made in Dallas could influence how SBC leaders approach legal risk, communicate with churches and manage CP funds in the future.
How Are the Lawsuits Connected to the Transparency Debate?
The SBC is facing multiple lawsuits, including ones filed by survivors of sexual abuse. These legal cases have drawn attention to how SBC entities manage information, handle records and make decisions — especially in times of crisis.
Some Southern Baptists argue that a lack of transparency and internal accountability contributed to past failures in how abuse was handled. Now, they’re asking:
- Is the same lack of openness affecting how CP money is managed today?
- Were legal decisions made in the past without church members knowing?
- Are SBC entities withholding financial information that could shed light on who made key decisions — or how money was used?
For some people, the EC’s request to use CP money for legal defense has become a symbol of deeper concerns about how the denomination handles both financial and moral responsibility.
What Does the Executive Committee Say?
The EC says this request is a matter of necessity, not preference.
Leaders point out the EC has been following the directives of messengers, including decisions that increased legal exposure — such as waiving attorney-client privilege to allow for full investigation into abuse response.
They emphasize that:
- This is not a long-term funding shift, but a temporary request.
- Without approval, the EC could default on legal obligations, jeopardize insurance coverage and face a shutdown in operations.
- The situation is urgent, and the EC needs the flexibility to meet its responsibilities.
Some SBC leaders also express concern that increased transparency requirements could challenge the autonomy of SBC entities or create administrative burdens that interfere with ministry work.
What Do Transparency Advocates Say?
Advocates for greater financial transparency say this is a pivotal opportunity to restore trust and strengthen stewardship across the SBC.
They believe:
- Churches deserve clear, consistent reporting on how their missions dollars are used.
- Abuse survivors deserve to know whether funds were used to silence or fight against them.
- Transparency, they argue, is not about punishment, but about integrity, repentance and honoring God in how we manage shared resources.
Reform advocates are calling for SBC entities to:
- Publicly share detailed financial reports, including executive pay and contractor expenses.
- Report how CP dollars are allocated, including how much goes toward legal, administrative and ministry purposes.
- Standardize disclosures so they are understandable and available to all church members.
They argue that transparency is part of biblical stewardship and essential to moving forward with credibility and care.
What Transparency Measures Are in Place Now?
Each SBC entity is autonomous, meaning it operates independently while cooperating with the broader convention.
Currently:
- Entities submit annual financial statements to the SBC EC.
- These statements are typically summarized in printed reports provided to messengers and the public.
- Some entities undergo independent audits, though practices regarding publication and detail of audit reports vary.
- There is no unified standard for public financial reporting across all entities, and details related to legal or administrative costs may not be consistently disclosed.
Some Southern Baptists have expressed interest in greater clarity around how CP resources are allocated and reported.
What Will Messengers Be Asked to Do?
At the 2025 annual meeting in Dallas, messengers will likely be asked to:
- Approve or reject the Executive Committee’s request to use Cooperative Program funds for legal expenses.
- Consider motions or resolutions calling for greater financial transparency across SBC entities.
- Engage in open-floor discussion about how the SBC balances accountability with the autonomy of its institutions.
- Decide whether reforms are needed to ensure future generations of Southern Baptists have clarity, confidence, and trust in how the denomination manages its ministries and money.
