WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 17, 2025 —The presidential search committee for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention announced today they are accepting applications from interested candidates for the office of president and CEO of the ERLC.
ERLC trustees from across the country gathered together Sept. 16-17 for their annual meeting in Washington, D.C.
During the meeting, the search committee approved a presidential profile that the full board received. Qualifications include:
Spiritually Mature: The candidate must have an authentic testimony of personal faith in Christ; give an unqualified affirmation of the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture; and hold a firm conviction that Jesus Christ is the only Savior of the world. These beliefs and an increasing love for Christ will be demonstrated in his humility, kindness, self-control, patience, gentleness, love of others, gospel courage, godly character, and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ through faithfulness to Christ’s Church.
Convictionally Southern Baptist: The candidate must be a member in good standing of a cooperating Southern Baptist church. In addition, the candidate must have a full grasp of Southern Baptist life and polity and must unreservedly affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.
Pastoral in Heart: The candidate will not only be able to communicate to large audiences but must also exhibit approachability and a desire and ability both to warmly engage with people and to communicate gospel truths one on one, whether with entity staff, a press member, a denominational leader, or a pastor in need of counsel.
A Proven Unifier: On issues where Southern Baptists differ within the parameters of the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, he should possess the ability to foster healthy dialogue that promotes understanding and unity. He likewise must be able to form relationships and promote godly dialogue among Southern Baptists of all ethnicities and with varying opinions on current issues and bring those groups together in order to advocate effectively on those issues.
A full description of the presidential profile is available online. Learn more at erlc.com/employment.
“On behalf of the rest of the ERLC Presidential Search Committee, I am happy to announce that we have begun in earnest the search for the next president and CEO of the ERLC,” said Mitch Kimbrell, chairman of the ERLC presidential search committee.
“For over 100 years, the Southern Baptist Convention’s ERLC has worked both to assist churches and to represent Southern Baptists in the public square. The Commission’s work for and on behalf of Southern Baptists is necessary, important, and strategic. Godly, excellent leadership is required for the ERLC to grow in the effectiveness of its work and to grow in being an entity Southern Baptists are encouraged by.
“Please pray for our committee regularly, brothers and sisters in Christ, as we work to identify this entity’s next leader. As you pray along with us, we are comforted by the Lord’s promise that any who perceives his need for wisdom and asks the Lord for it will receive His wisdom generously (James 1:5).”
