June 11, 2001
Merritt re-elected SBC president by acclamation
___By Trennis Henderson
___Kentucky Western Recorder
___NEW ORLEANS--Prominent conservative Baptist leader James Merritt was elected by acclamation June 12 to a second term as Southern Baptist Convention president.
___Merritt, pastor of First Baptist Church of Snellville, Ga., has held several key SBC positions during the denomination's conservative shift of the past two decades. In addition to his role as president, he has been president of the Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference (1995) and chairman of the SBC Executive Committee (1995-97), resolutions committee (1993) and tellers committee (1987).
___Merritt was nominated by Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Describing Merritt as "faithful, forceful and fearless," Mohler said he has led the SBC "wisely, winsomely and well."
___Merritt's election came just three hours after he delivered this year's presidential address. Speaking to a crowd of about 9,000 registered messengers at the Louisiana Superdome, he warned against "cultural rebellion" and "doctrinal recklessness."
___Holding up his Bible, Merritt added, "Southern Baptists, we ought to preach this book, promote this book and practice this book. Any time this word is diluted, denied or debased, we ought to defend it with pride. This is a battle worth fighting."
___Merritt, 48, was elected last year as the SBC's first baby boomer president. A graduate of Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., and Southern Seminary, he has been pastor of the Georgia church since 1985. He previously was pastor of churches in Mississippi and Kentucky.
___In addition to his SBC positions, Merritt is a trustee of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and a former member of the Georgia Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
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