Why Have the ERLC?

Southern Baptists effectively have a political lobby group in Washington, DC that speaks "for" the SBC on issues of related to ethics, morality, or politics. It is called the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). But, this begs the question: Why?

Why do we need to spend well over $3 million a year on a "think tank" in Washington, DC to lobby for moral/ethical/political issues?

Why don't our local churches make their voices heard through their Biblical witness and through their local engagement in the lives of people? (they do)

Why don't our seminary professors make their voices heard on the issues of our day? (they do, by the way)

Why not enfold the work of the ERLC into the ethics department of our seminaries, the Executive Committee, or the office of the President of the SBC? Why do we need a separate entity?

If we are wanting more money to go to missions, can someone please explain to me why we have the ERLC?

How does the ERLC aid in the mission of Southern Baptists, which is to make disciples of all nations? What fruit does it bear?

If there are not good answers to these questions, then what is the point of the ERLC? What are they doing that cannot easily be done by others and what makes their positions the "official" position of the SBC?

I am open to be persuaded.

Comments

[Bob Cleveland]

I'd like to know if anyone has collected .. or even measured .. the results produced by the ERLC. We seem to track Baptisms, attendance, and things of that sort. But can we tell whether the ERLC has had any effect?

Aside from making headlines for taking a stand on something or other (or maybe worse), I don't know anything concrete that's been accomplished. Do you?

[downshoredrift]

I dont know, Bob. I have not heard of such a study. Perhaps one is in order?

Sent from my iPhone

[Robert I Masters]

The ERLC has done thousands of wonderful things
especially in the political realm. I know that you are aware that it would be against the law for individual churches to do many of the activities ERLC does well.

BTW-We could have much, much,much more money for Missions if the SBC would simply replace all the Microsoft OS licenses with Ubuntu Linux OS.

[downshoredrift]

So, the ERLC is officially a lobby and not a ministry? Is that why they can do things that churches cannot do?

Sent from my iPhone

[Robert I Masters]

No -they are a ministry that is able to speak to all areas of concern to all Southern Baptist.
Because of tax laws many of those areas are out of bounds to the local church.

[Robert I Masters]

I also think that Southern Baptist pastors must be much more political like the preachers of the Black regiment or like many of the preachers I know in the State of Iowa.

Faith for all of life!

[Dave Miller]

I suggested at sbcIMPACT a couple of years ago that we do away with the ERLC. Got KILLED by some traditionalist types.

[Todd]

Alan,
Our structure seems to inhere the perception, if not the reality, that we outsource our missions to the IMB and NAMB. We outsource our ethics and ethical positions to the ERLC. We outsource our theological education and ministry habits to the Seminaries.

Then, when another entity like Lifeway presents statistics consistent with other researchers that our evangelistic efforts are falling short, our ethical actions in public spaces show little difference to those not self-identified as Christian, and our theological positions are all over the map, the church is to blame.

Works perfectly.

[Bob Cleveland]

I'm still waiting for someone to name some of the things the ERLC has accomplished.

[Robert I Masters]

Bob Cleveland,
A little Google research will give you plenty of things the ERLC has done.
But to give you a push in that direction.
1)written and produced many scholarly articles on current cultural and Biblical topics.
Ex... the Christian and Alcohol.
They have assisted in helping bring about Peace for Southern Sudan
They have helped develop a plan for encouraging Southern Baptist to be Redemptive in out dealings with homosexuals.
They have attempted to encourage Southern Baptist to vote values...remember the bus!Christian values.
They encouraged Southern Baptist to vote with their pocketbook by boycotting Disney.it was a success.
The list goes on and on and on!