Vice President Mike Pence is slated to address the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Dallas on Wednesday despite calls to prevent him from speaking.
Virginia Pastor Garrett Kell pressed for Pence’s speech to be replaced with a time of prayer, saying his appearance will reinforce the image that the Southern Baptists are not politically neutral.
“We must do all that we can to preserve the purity of the gospel, and this invitation works against it,” Kell said Monday.
Kell argued that Pence’s presence may alienate minorities and Church members whose views don’t align with the Trump administration, and cheers could be heard both within the crowd and through social media, echoing his concerns, as noted by the Tennessean.
Hearing lots of encouraging things from #SBC2018 Then they announce Mike Pence is speaking and I realize, huh, they’ve not changed a bit. #justdontgetit
— mrs c (@javamom13) June 12, 2018
I pray for government officials including VP Pence. But at this juncture, I think it is unwise for him to speak at SBC. It merely perpetuates the image of SBC = GOP and solidifies the image the SBC is about political power and position and not the Kingdom of God. #SBC2018
— Eric Michalls (@EricMichalls) June 12, 2018
Grant Ethridge, chairman of the Committee on Order of Business, responded to his concerns saying, “As a committee, we feel to not show hospitality to those in authority would be a bad testimony for Southern Baptists.”
“I believe we respect the position regardless of whether or not you supported or voted for the person,” Ethridge said.
Despite the committeeman’s opinion, Kell made an appeal to amend the schedule for the 8,000-person audience.
While Kell’s supporters vocally echoed his position, the request failed Tuesday to get enough votes for the motion to pass.
Even at a time when many staunch conservatives find themselves as Never Trumpers, 75 percent of white evangelicals continue to support his administration, and especially Pence, whose faith makes him much more favorable to devout communities.
