The Faqs: What You Should Know About The Southern Baptist Convention’s Annual Meeting

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) will gather in Dallas, Texas, with ancillary events beginning Sunday, June 8, 2025, and the two business sessions that constitute the official Annual Meeting scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, June 10–11, 2025, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

The SBC is the largest Baptist denomination in the world and the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, with a little less than 47,000 cooperating churches and around 13 million members. As a denomination, the SBC is known for its commitment to missions and evangelism and its strong emphasis on local church autonomy. Each year, the SBC holds an annual meeting where messengers from member churches gather to conduct denominational business, elect leaders, and make important decisions that shape the convention’s direction.

Despite the denomination’s size and influence, many Americans—including many Southern Baptists—are unfamiliar with the SBC’s most important annual event. Here’s what you should know, whether you’re a member of an SBC church or simply a curious observer of one of the world’s largest religious organizations.

What is the Southern Baptist Convention?

The name “Southern Baptist Convention” refers to both the annual two-day convention and the decentralized organization of autonomous local churches and their members. Despite its name, the SBC isn’t limited to the southern United States. While the denomination has its roots in the South and continues to have a strong presence in that region, it has expanded over time to include churches in all 50 states and in numerous countries worldwide.

The denomination was founded in 1845 when Baptists in the southern United States split from the national Baptist denomination over the issue of slavery, with Southern Baptists supporting missionaries who owned slaves. Many Southern Baptist leaders defended slavery on what they believed to be biblical grounds. (In 1995, on the denomination’s 150th anniversary, the convention voted to adopt a resolution on racial reconciliation that apologized for its racist roots in condoning and perpetuating individual and systemic racism, and committed to eradicate racism in all its forms from Southern Baptist life and ministry.)

Today, the SBC is known for its conservative theological beliefs, which include a strong emphasis on the authority of the Bible, the autonomy of the local church, and the necessity of personal faith in Jesus for salvation. The SBC also places a high priority on missions and evangelism, with a goal of spreading the gospel message both domestically and internationally.

The SBC is organized as a cooperative of autonomous churches, which means each member church is self-governing and independently operated. SBC churches voluntarily choose to cooperate for the purposes of missions, education, and other shared ministries. This cooperation is facilitated through the SBC’s Cooperative Program, which allows churches to pool their resources to support denominational causes.

The SBC messengers elect five officers each year: a president, a first vice president, a second vice president, a recording secretary, and a registration secretary. The treasurer isn’t elected by the convention; the president of the Executive Committee automatically serves as treasurer of the SBC, per Constitution Article VI. Day-to-day financial and administrative operations are overseen by the Executive Committee.

There are also boards and committees that oversee various aspects of denominational work, such as the International Mission Board, which coordinates the SBC’s overseas mission efforts, and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, which advocates for government policies, trains church leaders, and addresses social and moral issues from a Southern Baptist perspective.

How does a church join the SBC?

• hold a faith and practice that “closely identifies” with the Baptist Faith and Message (it need not vote formally to “adopt” the BF&M),
• formally approve its intention to cooperate—typically demonstrated by filing the Annual Church Profile (ACP) or an equivalent record, and
• make at least one undesignated financial gift in the previous fiscal year through the Cooperative Program or directly to any SBC entity or the Executive Committee.

What is the SBC annual meeting?

The SBC annual meeting is a crucial event in the life of the denomination, serving as a gathering point for messengers from SBC churches across the country.

The primary purpose of the annual meeting is to conduct the business of the denomination. This includes electing officers, approving budgets, hearing reports from SBC entities, and making decisions on resolutions and motions that guide the convention’s direction and priorities. It also serves as a time of worship, fellowship, and inspiration for attendees, with keynote speakers, music, and other special events.

The decisions made at the annual meeting have significant implications for the SBC and its member churches. For example, the adoption of a new resolution on a social or theological issue can shape the denomination’s public witness and ministry priorities. The election of officers can influence the SBC’s leadership direction and tone. And the approval of budgets and ministry plans can determine how resources are allocated across the convention.

When and where does the annual meeting take place?

The SBC’s business meeting is almost always held in the second full week of June and rotates among major U.S. cities that can accommodate 10,000‑plus attendees. The 2025 meeting will be in Dallas, Texas. Future sites already approved by the Executive Committee are Orlando (2027) and Salt Lake City (2028).

Who attends the annual meeting?

Attendance is open to messengers from SBC churches, as well as invited guests and observers. Messengers are individuals appointed by their churches to represent them (see below).

The annual meeting is also attended by SBC leaders, entity heads, and other denominational officials. Members of the media, representatives from other denominations, and interested members of the public may attend as observers.

While the exact number of attendees varies from year to year, the meeting typically draws thousands of participants. In 2021, the annual meeting in Nashville had more than 15,000 registered messengers, making it one of the largest gatherings in the denomination’s history.

What are messengers, and how do they function?

Messengers are a critical component of the SBC’s annual meeting, serving as the official representatives of SBC churches and participating in denominational decision-making. These individuals vote on behalf of their sending congregations. Messengers aren’t delegates in the strict sense of the term, as they aren’t bound to vote according to the wishes of their churches. Instead, they’re trusted to make decisions based on their consciences, prayerful discernment, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

To serve as a messenger, an individual must be a member in good standing of an SBC church that’s in “friendly cooperation” with the convention. Messengers must be approved and certified by their churches as meeting the qualifications outlined in the SBC constitution and bylaws. To be certified, a messenger must

• be a member in good standing of a church that the convention currently deems “in friendly cooperation” (Article III),
• be elected or appointed by that church,
• come from a congregation that filed an ACP (or equivalent) and made at least one qualifying SBC gift in the previous fiscal year, and
• fall within the numerical limit (up to 12 messengers per church, depending on giving).

At the annual meeting, messengers participate in various activities and decision-making processes, including the following:

• electing officers and trustees for SBC entities
• voting on resolutions and motions related to denominational business, theology, and social issues
• approving the Cooperative Program budget and other financial matters
• hearing reports from SBC entities and leaders
• participating in times of worship, prayer, and fellowship

Through their participation in these activities, messengers shape the SBC’s direction and priorities and provide accountability for denominational leaders and entities.

How are messengers selected by their churches?

The process for selecting messengers varies from church to church but typically involves the following steps:

1. The church determines the number of messengers it’s eligible to send based on convention-related giving.

2. The church nominates and elects individuals to serve as messengers, either through a congregational vote or through appointment by church leadership.

3. The church provides a letter of certification or credential for each messenger, verifying his or her eligibility to serve.

4. The messengers register for the annual meeting and receive their official credentials from the SBC Registration Committee.

What happens during the SBC annual meeting?

While the exact schedule varies from year to year, a typical annual meeting includes these elements:

• preconference meetings and events, such as seminars, luncheons, and receptions hosted by SBC entities and affiliates
• general sessions featuring keynote speakers, worship music, and business reports
• breakout sessions and panel discussions on topics related to SBC ministry, theology, and culture
• exhibits and displays showcasing SBC entities, ministries, and resources
• mission-focused events and activities, such as prayer gatherings and commissioning services for missionaries

The annual meeting also includes designated times for prayer, fellowship, and networking among attendees.

Key officers and leaders are elected at the meeting, including the following:

• the president, who presides over the annual meeting
• the first and second vice presidents, who assist the president and assume leadership responsibilities as needed
• the recording secretary, who keeps the official records of the annual meeting and the Executive Committee
• trustees for SBC entities, who provide oversight and governance for denominational agencies and institutions

Nominations for trustee positions are made by the SBC Committee on Nominations or from the floor of the annual meeting, with messengers voting to elect the nominees.

Resolutions and motions are another important way for messengers to express the convention’s views and priorities on a range of issues. Resolutions are nonbinding statements that express the sentiment or opinion of that year’s messengers on a particular topic, while motions are proposals for actions or changes to policies or practices. Both are submitted by individual messengers and are considered by the Committee on Resolutions (resolutions) or the Committee on Order of Business (motions). Accepted resolutions are presented to the full convention for discussion and voting, while motions may be referred to SBC entities or brought to the convention to act on.

In recent years, resolutions and motions at annual meetings have addressed a wide range of topics, including racial reconciliation, sexual abuse prevention, religious liberty, and political engagement. While resolutions aren’t binding on individual SBC churches, they’re often seen as important expressions of the denomination’s collective voice and witness.

(See also: The FAQS: What You Should Know About SBC Resolutions.)

How is business conducted at the annual convention?

To carry out the function of the meeting, the SBC relies on a “parliamentary authority” to determine the rules and procedures that govern the conduct of business. The SBC has adopted Robert’s Rules of Order (latest edition) as its parliamentary authority, which provides a standardized framework for facilitating discussion, debate, and decision-making in a fair and orderly manner.

Robert’s Rules of Order is a widely used manual published in 1876 by U.S. army officer Henry Martyn Robert. It outlines a comprehensive set of rules and guidelines for conducting meetings and making decisions in deliberative assemblies, such as legislative bodies, corporate boards, and religious organizations.

The role of Robert’s Rules in the SBC is to ensure the annual meeting and other business sessions are conducted in a way that’s transparent, efficient, and respectful of all participants. Key aspects of the rules include the following:

1. establishing a clear agenda and order of business for each session

2. providing guidelines for introducing, debating, and voting on motions and resolutions

3. outlining the roles and responsibilities of the presiding officer (usually the president) and other key leaders

4. ensuring all messengers have an equal opportunity to participate in discussion and decision-making

5. maintaining decorum and preventing disruptions or personal attacks during debate

While the SBC isn’t bound by Robert’s Rules in the same way a legal or governmental body might be, the convention has voluntarily adopted the manual.

In practice, this means the presiding officer and other leaders at the SBC annual meeting are expected to be familiar with and apply Robert’s Rules. Messengers and other participants are also encouraged to familiarize themselves with the basic principles of parliamentary procedure to engage effectively in the meeting.

However, the SBC is ultimately governed by its own constitution and bylaws, which take precedence over Robert’s Rules in the event of any conflict. Moreover, the convention has the authority to adopt special rules or suspend the rules as needed to facilitate its work, provided such actions are consistent with its governing documents and the messengers’ will.

What is the significance of the SBC annual meeting?

The SBC annual meeting is a highly significant event for the denomination, with far-reaching implications for its member churches, entities (e.g., SBC seminaries), and the broader evangelical community.

One of the primary ways the annual meeting shapes the SBC is through the election of officers and entity trustees. The individuals chosen to fill these roles have significant influence over the direction and priorities of the convention, shaping its ministry strategies, public witness, and allocation of resources.

Additionally, the resolutions and motions passed at the annual meeting can profoundly influence the policies and practices of the SBC. While these statements aren’t binding on individual churches, they’re often viewed as important expressions of the denomination’s beliefs and values. They can also serve as catalysts for change and action within the convention, inspiring churches and leaders to address key issues and challenges. A prime example is the focus on rooting out sexual abuse in SBC churches.

While SBC churches are autonomous and self-governing, the decisions made at the annual meeting can also influence their ministry and witness. For example, a resolution passed on a particular social or cultural issue may prompt churches to reexamine their own teachings and practices related to that issue. Similarly, the election of a new SBC president or entity leader may inspire churches to embrace different ministry strategies or emphases.

The annual meeting also provides a key point of connection and accountability between individual churches and the broader convention. Local churches (through their messengers) can shape the SBC’s direction and priorities. Similarly, the denomination can disfellowship churches (i.e., determine they’re no longer in friendly cooperation) that are believed to be violating the tenets of the Baptist Faith and Message. For example, in 2023, Saddleback Church was deemed “not in friendly cooperation” with the SBC because they had a woman serving in the role of teaching pastor.

For those who aren’t Southern Baptist, the meeting is still worth paying attention to because it affects the discussions and priorities within evangelicalism. The decisions made at the annual meeting, particularly on high-profile issues such as race relations, sexual abuse, or political engagement can shape public perceptions of the SBC and the broader evangelical community.

For example, in 1998, SBC messengers adopted a Resolution on Moral Character of Public Officials that’s still being discussed and debated 26 years later. How the convention addresses these issues can significantly affect its credibility and witness in the public square.

The meeting also receives significant media coverage, which further amplifies the influence of the convention’s decisions and shapes public perceptions of not only the denomination but also evangelicalism in general.

Ultimately, the SBC annual meeting is a crucial moment in the life of the denomination and in the American church, with the potential to shape the direction, witness, and influence of evangelicalism for years to come.