The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) applies Christian principles to moral and social issues and helps to promote religious liberty on behalf of the denomination.
The commission has been without a permanent president since Brent Leatherwood resigned July 31, 2025, weeks after it survived an attempt by SBC messengers to disband the entity for having become too liberal, out of touch with local church members, and causing division.
But this week, the search committee unanimously recommended Dr. Evan Lenow as the sole candidate to be its new president. The full board of trustees is expected to approve the nomination this month.
"I could not be more delighted," responds Dr. Richard Land. "He has a PhD in ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been a professor at Southwestern. He was the head of the Land Center at Southwestern."
The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary was established in Dr. Land's honor in 2007.
He says Dr. Lenow will bring the ERLC back into alignment with the SBC after drifting from the denomination's core constituency under previous leadership, specifically during Russell Moore's tenure (2013–2021).
Critics argued the ERLC became too politically distant, particularly regarding its stance on Donald Trump, immigration, and its perceived "woke" agenda, which resulted in reduced trust and calls for defunding.
"The ERLC is now back where it belongs, in the center of Southern Baptist's understanding of America and citizenship, of how Christians should be involved, on what issues they should be involved, and how they should be involved," Dr. Land states.
He adds that Dr. Lenow has an excellent pedigree, having grown up under the leadership of Dr. Adrian Rogers at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis as a young man.
"He's on the right side of the issues, he cares greatly for the Lord's Church and for our country, and he has tremendous courage," Dr. Land asserts.
He hopes Dr. Lenow will lead the ERLC well into the future.
"There is no term limit to the presidency of the ERLC; you serve just as long as you desire to do so and the board desires for you to do so," notes Dr. Land, who served as president of the ERLC for 25 years, from 1988 to 2013.
