Here is what The Young Group’s recent legal filing reveals—and why it matters.

 

1. They Admitted They No Longer Trust the Membership

In a recent legal filing, Second Baptist Church (SBC) leadership, referred to as “The Young Group,” finally admitted what many members have long suspected: they changed the church’s bylaws because they no longer trusted the congregation. In the filing, they confirmed that from 1927 - 2023, “…the organizational structure remained largely unchanged. By 2023, if not earlier, it was apparent that this structure was not suited to an organization of the size, diversity, and scope of Second Baptist.”

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What changed in 2023? And if it was so apparent, why did they need to use the “woke agenda,” as the reason to justify their actions at the time. This confession is astonishing—but it is only the beginning of the concerns we must address.

 

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2. They Don’t Ever Deny the Core Problem

In their response, The Young Group does NOT deny:

• That they failed to give members a copy of the proposed new bylaws before the vote; and

• That they failed to tell members they were removing their right to vote in the future.

   

That’s right — they are not even trying to argue that these things did not happen. Is that what any reasonable person would expect them to do?  

 

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3. Their Entire Legal Defense Is Based on a Technicality: “We Said There Was Going to be a Business Meeting”

What is obvious to anyone who reads the legal filing is that The Young Group’s entire legal position rests on the claim that they did nothing wrong because they “told people there would be a business meeting.” They literally claim that they are in the right because they announced over Memorial Day Weekend that there would be a meeting the next week. They do not even try to claim that people knew what they were voting on!! Is calling a meeting for one reason, when it is really for some other reason, honorable, trustworthy or right? Where in the Bible would there be support for such deceitful action?

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And does the fact that The Young Group was able to fool the Trustees make it ok to not tell the members what they were really doing?

 

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4. ONLY 317 People Voted—Out of 94,000+ Members

The legal filing had to admit that only 317 people voted at the hastily called, poorly promoted, barely mentioned from the pulpit on Memorial Day Sunday, “business meeting” on May 31, 2023.  317 out of 94,000? That’s less than one-third of 1% of the membership. And yet, The Young Group has the audacity to claim that this tiny fraction of attendees, who were not given a copy of what they were voting on or told that they were voting to strip away the voting rights of every church member, provide legitimacy for a sweeping governance overhaul. Does that sound like a valid “member approval,” when the vast majority of the church had no meaningful opportunity to participate, and even those who did attend did not know what they were voting on?

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And, by the way, the Young Group states only two individuals voted AGAINST the by-laws. That is not true either, as there are multiple people who will testify under oath they voted against the alleged by-laws. Several of these individuals will also testify that they were publicly berated and humiliated by then Sr. Pastor Ed Young for voting against his proposal!

 

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5. They Claim the JCC Wants to Run the Church— ABSOLUTELY FALSE

As has been stated numerous times publicly, no one on the Jeremiah Council is seeking power. No one is asking to be on committees or hold positions. What has consistently been requested — for more than a year and long before legal action became the last possible option —is simple:

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Let the members vote. And tell them what they’re voting on.

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That is it!

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Numerous church members, former and current Deacon officers, Bible study teachers and directors, etc. made multiple formal and informal requests for over a year. The request has repeatedly been for church leadership to bring the bylaws to a transparent vote of the full membership, with copies in hand and explanations provided—basic transparency that any healthy church should welcome.

 

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6. The filing makes it clear that to The Young Group, it IS about the money

The Young Group petitioned to transfer this case from a district court to a business court, which only oversees cases where there are large amounts of money at stake. This makes it very clear that while the JCC is focused on governance and voter integrity, The Young Group is focused on the money. The JCC has only asked that if any money was taken improperly, that it be returned to the Church. Is The Young Group worried it will have to return more than $5,000,000?

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This case is about voter integrity, transparency and accountability, for the protection of the future generations of Second Baptist members. Why doesn’t Pastor Ben Young want that for the future of the church?

 

So, Pastor Ben Young, We Ask Again:

Why won’t you let the membership vote?
Why won’t you let them see what they’re voting on?
What are you afraid of?

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If the changes to the alleged bylaws are good and godly, trust the people of God to see that for themselves.

We still believe in transparency. We still believe in shared governance. And we still believe the truth matters.

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Let the people see. Let the people vote.