In response to the criticism that Ascol and Baucham have received by those who see their respective nominations as a “power play” aimed at recapturing lost influence, both Ascol and Baucham expressed that they have always been outsiders in the denomination.
Ascol explained that he felt compelled to accept a nomination for president of the SBC to “stop this progressive train, this social justice move that has infiltrated evangelical life in the SBC,” going on to express that he felt “oneness” with Baucham in that vision.
In reference to what he described as “hit pieces” against him, Baucham said, “I recognize that SBC life is a full contact sport,” but that he has often been mischaracterized.
Baucham went on to say that many Black pastors aligned with troubling ideologies are treated “with kid gloves” in the SBC, but “if you’re a Black conservative, if you’re not woke, and God forbid, you’re against wokeism, then you’re fair game. And people can say things to you, or about you, things they would never say to another Black person.”
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“Ironically, I take that as a compliment, because that means you see me as a man and as an equal,” Baucham added, decrying the “soft bigotry of low expectations.”
When asked what he hopes will happen in Anaheim, CA this summer at the annual meeting of the SBC, Baucham said, “I think when you come to moments like this, when you come to historical moments where you see a shift, where you see a downgrade—there is a time to shake the dust off your sandals and walk away. And I think we’re close to that.”
“But I think before you do that, you have to be willing to make a stand,” Baucham continued. “If I’m encouraged and asked and nominated, what kind of man would I be if I looked at that and said no?”
“I believe in the Southern Baptist Convention. I’ve invested a lot of my life and a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into the Southern Baptist Convention,” Baucham said.
Explaining why he would accept a nomination for SBC president despite potential controversy, Ascol said, “The SBC matters. It matters. I mean, it’s the largest Protestant denomination in North America. And what happens in the SBC has impact way beyond the SBC.”
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“A rising tide raises all ships. And I think the SBC has a tremendous opportunity to help see that tide rise in right ways,” Ascol said. “And, man, the world is going nuts. I mean, our American culture, you have to be deaf, dumb, and blind to think that everything’s good right now.”
