Press Release Summary: NAMB Disputes Move to Church Tribunal

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For More Information Contact:  Jolene Bivens, 727.866.736   info@IslandChurchTV.com

BREAKING: NAMB Disputes Move to Church Tribunal After 9-Year Legal Fight

Local church to hear evidence after federal courts defer to ecclesiastical authority;
NAMB declines participation.

St Petersburg, FL  – Island Church of Tierra Verde, Florida, will convene a formal church tribunal on April 29–30, 2026, to hear evidence in the dispute between Dr. Will McRaney, former Executive Director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware, and the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board (NAMB) and its President, Kevin Ezell, following a nine-year legal battle that civil courts declined to resolve.

After insisting that these types of disputes are a matter for local church jurisdiction, NAMB now refuses to participate in this Christian arbitration. Federal courts determined the case falls under ecclesiastical jurisdiction, concluding that such disputes must be addressed by a local church rather than through the civil court system. In response, Island Church has agreed to host a structured tribunal to examine the claims and evidence. NAMB refuses to participate in Christian arbitration connected to this process and has declined involvement in the tribunal.

“Civil courts said they couldn’t decide this matter,” said attorney Jonathan R. Whitehead, who will help present evidence to jurors, along with McRaney’s trial counsel Harvey Barton. “They never ruled on the merits. They just agreed that churches must decide what to do with the facts,” said Whitehead.  “I am pleased that Island Church has taken this matter so seriously and called in “helps” to make sure this proceeding is consistent with historic Baptist precedents and professional standards.”

The tribunal is expected to include a formal presentation of evidence by counsel representing McRaney, under the supervision of an outside, neutral mediator who will instruct jurors and rule on questions of evidence.  An independent court reporter will create a certified transcript. Ultimately, a panel of Island Church members will hear the case and render findings related to both civil and biblical considerations. “These safeguards show that the Island Church wants real resolution of these public claims,” said Whitehead.

Although invited to participate, NAMB and its leadership declined. In a letter dated April 1, 2026, NAMB General Counsel George McCallum, said the Defendants believed the civil courts had “exhausted” all room for additional Biblical efforts. Whitehead said The Island Church planned to press forward and was prepared to present jurors with a summary of NAMB’s arguments.  “As historian Gregory Willls noted, Baptist history is full of cases where parties rejected the authority or jurisdiction of a local church — and that seldom stopped the process,” said Whitehead.  “Baptist courts always start in a church where one of the parties is a member. After some church decides, the matter is taken to other churches and associations,” he said. “Island Church is following a sound, Baptist pattern,” said Whitehead.

Proceedings are scheduled to take place from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EDT on both days. The event will be open to Island Church members, guests, and credentialed media. A live stream is expected to be available through the church’s official YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@IslandChurchTierraVerde33715).

“This tribunal represents a watershed moment in Southern Baptist history,” Whitehead added. “The process has been carefully structured to ensure fairness, clarity, and accountability in the presentation of evidence.”

Island Church of Tierra Verde, Florida, is a local, autonomous Baptist church which cooperates with the SBC in mission efforts, is committed to biblical teaching committed to biblical teaching, congregational governance, and the application of historic Baptist principles in matters of faith and practice.