SBC Executive Committee eliminates staff positions

NASHVILLE (BP)—The SBC Executive Committee eliminated five staff positions and two contractor positions Sept. 13.

“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, interim president.

“As a result, our financial realities have led to an organizational restructuring and the reduction of staff and operational expenses.”

Executive Committee staff were informed of the changes Wednesday morning. The restructuring leaves 21 full-time employees at the Executive Committee.

“We are thankful for the service those affected have given to Southern Baptists and the SBC Executive Committee. The continuing staff are fully committed to accomplishing the messenger-approved ministry assignments,” Howe said in the statement.

The board is set to vote on the approval of an Executive Committee budget and the SBC operating budget at its regularly scheduled meeting in Nashville, Sept. 18-19.

In February, Executive Committee members learned the organization realized a significant net loss of more than $6 million in assets during the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

The Executive Committee “has incurred significant expenses from investigations and legal fees,” said Mike Bianchi, interim chief financial officer, in written comments for Baptist Press.

“This has led to a substantial erosion of EC reserves, necessitating considerable expense reductions to avoid entirely depleting cash reserves,” Bianchi stated.

“The adjustments are an important stopgap to extend the life of the cash reserves, but despite the expense reductions, the EC will still have to draw from reserves to cover ongoing investigation and legal expenses in the 2023-2024 budget.”