When Moore spoke on a panel about sexual abuse in 2019 at the SBC’s annual meeting, Moore told RNS that “she felt she was no longer welcome.” Explaining that since the last in-person SBC annual meeting “things have only gotten worse” in reference to Black pastors leaving the SBC because of debates over critical race theory and politics overshadowing the gospel.
She told RNS that she ended her publishing partnership with the Southern Baptist Convention’s publishing and distribution division LifeWay Christian Resources. Although it will still distribute her books, LifeWay will not administer her life events or publish her future books. Talking LifeWay she said, “These are people that I love so dearly and they are beloved forever. I just have not been able to regard many things in my adult ministry life as more of a manifestation of grace than that gift of partnership with Lifeway.”
“I am going to serve whoever God puts in front of me,” Moore said as she mentioned her future speaking events may look different, but she is looking forward to beginning anew.
Reaction to Beth Moore’s Split From the SBC
President of Renewal Ministries Ray Ortlund tweeted: “One of my heroes.”
Author Trillia Newbell posted: “I have deep love and respect for @BethMooreLPM. She let me know this was coming because she is human, and she loves others fiercely. As I think about our tendency to analyze and tear each other apart, I hope we’d resist it here and instead pray.”
Cornerstone Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor in Arlington, Texas, Dwight McKissic tweeted: “When the likes of Beth Moore, Charlie Dates & Ralph West-3 of the most gifted, godly & effective spokespersons for the Kingdom leave the SBC-& many others are standing at the door-it certainly indicates-to paraphrase an old Negro spiritual-“There is danger, in the water.”
Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Lindale, Texas, Tom Buck posted: “In light of our BF&M2000 confessional statement, Beth Moore hasn’t been SBC for some time. I’d rather see her return to the doctrinal beliefs of the SBC than leave. However, anyone who doesn’t intend to walk in agreement with our confession should leave.”
Current SBC President J.D. Greear tweeted: “I have loved and appreciated Beth Moore’s ministry and will continue to in the future. Personally, she has been an encouragement to me and I will always be grateful. I am grieved anytime someone who believes in the inerrant Scripture, shares our values and desires to cooperate says that they do not feel at home in our convention. When I first allowed my name to be nominated for President, I said we did not need to change our doctrine or our mission, we needed to change our culture. My time as President has shown me that the vast majority of Southern Baptists are ready to walk into the future unified around the Great Commission. Sadly, it’s many of our leaders that seem bent on pulling us apart. My prayer is that this news will cause us to lament, to pray, and to come to Nashville rededicating ourselves to be Great Commission Baptists who keep the Gospel above all and to become a Convention united around the message that Jesus is the only way.”
