About the ERLC
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is an entity of the Southern Baptist Convention that is dedicated to addressing social and moral concerns and their implications on public policy issues from City Hall to Congress. The SBC is the largest non-Catholic denomination in the country with over 16 million members.
With offices in Nashville, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., the ERLC’s impact stretches from homes across the nation to the White House. Through its nationally syndicated radio program and its issues oriented publications, the ERLC provides millions of Americans with information vital to preserving the soul and spirit that makes the United States the greatest nation in history.
Our Work
For a quick glimpse at some of what we do, visit ERLC.com/Initiatives.
Ministry Statement
THE ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION
of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)
Ministry Statement Approved (by the SBC) June 1997
MISSION
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission exists to assist the churches by helping them understand the moral demands of the gospel, apply Christian principles to moral and social problems and questions of public policy, and to promote religious liberty in cooperation with the churches and other Southern Baptist entities.
MINISTRIES
1. ASSIST CHURCHES IN APPLYING THE MORAL AND ETHICAL TEACHINGS OF THE BIBLE TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.
Provide research, information resources, consultation, and counsel to denominational entities, churches and individuals with regard to the application of Christian principles in everyday living and the nation’s public life.
2. ASSIST CHURCHES THROUGH THE COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY OF MORAL AND ETHICAL CONCERNS IN THE PUBLIC ARENA.
Represent Southern Baptists in communicating the ethical positions of the Southern Baptist Convention to the public and to public officials.
3. ASSIST CHURCHES IN THEIR MORAL WITNESS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
Provide information resources that inform and equip churches for active moral witness in their communities.
4. ASSIST CHURCHES AND OTHER SOUTHERN BAPTIST ENTITIES BY PROMOTING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.
Provide information and counsel to denominational entities, churches, and individuals regarding appropriate responses to religious liberty concerns; represent Southern Baptists in communicating the positions of the Southern Baptist Convention on religious liberty issues to the public and to public officials.
RELATIONSHIPS
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission will work within the Southern Baptist Convention agency relationship guidelines approved by the Inter-Agency Council and the Executive Committee and printed in the Organization Manual of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Our Vision
An American society that affirms and practices Judeo-Christian values rooted in biblical authority.
Our Mission
To awaken, inform, energize, equip, and mobilize Christians to be the catalysts for the Biblically-based transformation of their families, churches, communities, and the nation.