Overview
- A Texas business court judge threw out nearly all claims by a group of current and former members who said Second Baptist’s 2023 bylaw changes stripped congregational voting rights and concentrated power.
- The court found the church‑autonomy doctrine bars broad civil review of internal governance but ruled that a specific amendment on how trustees are chosen was invalid because the church failed to provide required notice or a summary to members.
- The judge confirmed members retain the right to request a full accounting of the church’s assets, property, and finances, giving plaintiffs a narrow but concrete remedy.
- The court declined to remove or vacate the unvoted appointment of Ben Young as senior pastor, and the jury trial scheduled for later this month was taken off the calendar.
- Leaders of the plaintiffs said they will appeal and seek clarification, a step that could test how far courts may police notice and financial transparency at large religious institutions that claim protection under religious‑liberty law.