“The church, particularly the post-pandemic church, is going through so many gyrations and changes that it needs a leadership that is able to adapt and to lead the convention,” added his father, who said he planned to vote for Kimber. “Many churches are dying, and if the church is dying, the convention can’t live.”
Both Young, the outgoing denominational president, and the Rev. Breonus Mitchell Sr., NBCUSA board chair, said the denomination’s election processes need to be changed in the future. Mitchell said on Wednesday that the current bylaws contain “so much ambiguity,” pointing to one church that had joined and paid for its registration in 2023 but was not able to have voting delegates at the session.
Young, in his final address Wednesday, acknowledged the “unusual” election but said its strangeness did not mean anyone had done wrong.
“There is absolutely no question that there are some problems with the process,” he said. “But hear me: You can’t get in the middle of the process and then decide it ought to change.”
After Thomas announced the election results on behalf of the elections commission, Young said the decision was final.
“Their report here tonight says clearly that the body has spoken,” he said, drawing some applause. “And when the body speaks, that settles the matter. Within the context of Baptist polity, there is no appellate system.”
Shortly before calling the meeting to a close, Young noted that he hopes to achieve the transfer of authority over the denomination in less than the 30-day maximum stated in the NBCUSA constitution.
He also contrasted his plans for a “smooth transition” with the last national U.S. election.
“I can promise you this: There will be no insurrection on our part,” Young said, drawing some laughter and applause. “And you can bet on this: We’re not going to storm the headquarters.”
This article originally appeared here.