In a move that has raised eyebrows within the denomination, Southern Baptist podcaster and Executive Committee member, Jonathan Howe has been appointed as the interim president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee, following the sudden resignation of Willie McLaurin. While the announcement may appear as a routine administrative change, it uncovers a disconcerting pattern that threatens the very principles that have defined Southern Baptists.

The necessity for the change arose following the discovery that McLaurin lied on his job application, either never attending the schools or never completing a course of study at the schools he listed on his resume. The team vetting McLaurin for the permanent position also found at least two diplomas that were proven fraudulent. This latest revelation added to a line of turmoil at the beleaguered SBC entity, including previous resignations following allegations of “mishandlings” of sex abuse claims. McLaurin’s sudden departure left a vacancy that needed to be filled, leading to the late Friday night appointment of Howe.

What the SBC establishment is not openly revealing to you, however, is the connection between Howe and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF), a denomination that has publicly adopted pro-LGBTQ and pro-abortion stances. Jonathan Howe’s wife is the “Minister of Students and Discipleship“—a pastoral role without the title—at their CBF-affiliated church, Woodmont Baptist Church in Nashville. This association is alarming and should give Southern Baptists pause as the relationship raises serious questions about whether Howe’s leadership will be in alignment with the very values the SBC “conservatives” claim to uphold.

The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) has adopted godless positions that distinguish it within the broader Baptist landscape. Publicly affirming LGBTQ rights, the CBF also openly supports abortion rights, reflecting a broader move towards liberal theology and sub-biblical morality. Additionally, the CBF has embraced practices such as the ordination of female pastors and the acceptance of progressive theological interpretations. The connection between Jonathan Howe and this CBF-affiliated church brings these views into the spotlight, raising questions about how they might influence his leadership within the SBC.

Adding to the concerns surrounding Howe’s appointment is his past role in downplaying and making excuses for the plagiarism scandal involving former SBC president Ed Litton. Howe, the host of SBC This Week podcast, hosted Ed Litton on a podcast where Litton was then allowed to lie and sweep his plagiarism scandal under the rug. This should cast doubts over Howe’s commitment to transparency and integrity.

Observers of the situation can’t help but view the sudden appointment of Howe as a calculated move by the elite SBC establishment. By positioning Howe in this critical role, they seem to be further entrenching control over the direction of the convention. The actions bear a resemblance to political quid pro quo maneuvers, where favors are exchanged among the elite, often at the expense of the principles and integrity of the larger body.

Howe’s appointment comes during a troubled time for the SBC. With ongoing internal strife and serious doctrinal integrity and morality issues, and now the appointment of a figurehead with these questionable ties to a pro-homosexual denomination, the decision seems to compound the existing challenges rather than offering leadership to advance the gospel.

The unfolding situation within the SBC Executive Committee serves as a sobering reminder to Southern Baptists—it is not immune to liberalism. It reveals the necessity for vigilance and discernment in the face of internal dynamics that could undermine the faith, mission, and integrity of the denomination. The uncomfortable truths that have emerged demand a response marked by wisdom, fidelity to biblical principles, and an uncompromising commitment to the core tenets of biblical Christianity.