In his video, Stone argued that the SBC should return the issue of handling sexual abuse allegations to local SBC churches. Citing a recent financial report from the EC, Stone said, “We are on an unsustainable trajectory.”
“Now, to be clear, people are infinitely more valuable than financial resources,” Stone said. “But we can address this issue wisely, in a way that doesn’t lead us into financial ruin. For Southern Baptists, ‘unsustainable’ should be unacceptable.”
Turning to the topic of evangelism, Stone said that, if elected, a major focus of his SBC presidency would be “a nationwide evangelism emphasis.”
“We can deal rightly with the abuse issue while staying on mission for Christ,” Stone said.
Stone previously ran for SBC president in 2021, but lost to Alabama pastor Ed Litton.
Following the loss, Stone filed a defamation lawsuit against former ERLC President Russell Moore. Seeking $750,000 in damages, Stone claimed that Moore had led a “malicious campaign” against him.
In the months leading up to the 2021 annual meeting in Nashville, two private letters written by Moore were leaked. In one of those letters, Moore claimed that Stone and then-EC President Ronnie Floyd suppressed investigations into sexual abuse within the denomination.
Stone argued that Moore’s actions cost him the SBC presidency, affected his “future earning capacity,” and caused him “mental anguish and severe emotional distress.”
Further, Stone alleged that Moore’s comments were retaliation for Stone having led a task force to investigate “ongoing concerns” about the ERLC, most of which surrounded Moore’s public denunciations of former president Donald Trump.
Stone later dropped the suit.
During the 2021 annual meeting, Stone got into a now-infamous verbal altercation with abuse survivor advocate Hannah-Kate Williams, whom he allegedly told was “doing more harm than good to the Southern Baptist Convention.” That incident and subsequent backlash likely also contributed to Stone’s loss to Litton in a close presidential race.
The SBC will assemble for its 2023 annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 11-14.
