Members only

• 1). Membership in a Southern Baptist church is the only requirement for state delegates who are elected by congregations to attend the convention, according to Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) bylaws. These "messengers" meet for two days every year to elect a president and five other officers who preside over the two-day convention. Resolutions and other issues are also decided by vote during these sessions.
  
  In 2009, "Dr." Johnny Hunt was elected president. Hunt only has honorary doctorate degrees, so some Baptists who had broken away from the SBC questioned his legitimacy. Recipients of an honorary doctorate do not normally adopt the title of "doctor." The recipient of an honorary degree may use the degree title, but it should always be made clear that the degree is honorary, according to New York University.
  
  The Hunt controversy is indicative of how Baptists sometimes argue among themselves.
  
  
• 2). Delegates vote to fill an 83-member Executive Committee. This committee elects a president who guides the day-to-day operation of the SBC. Morris Chapman has held the post since 1992. He has said he will retire in 2010.
  
  The Executive Committee operates the SBC when the convention is not in session. Although the Executive Committee does not control convention agencies, it recommends the convention's annual operating budget. It also distributes the monies Southern Baptists give in support of denominational ministries.
  
  
• 3). Confirmation of SBC leaders is simply a matter of a convention vote. Confirm a messenger's church membership by contacting the sending-church secretary. Check resumes to ensure not more than two-thirds of the Executive Committee are employed full-time by a church or church entity or private sector, rules set up in the bylaws. Committee members are listed online.
  
  Expensive search engines are available to those who do not have the time to personally conduct the searches. Zabasearch.com is a free site for limited information on a name, but has a "premium service" for background checks. Looking for a person or social network? Try http://person.langenberg.com/. This is a free service. Examining a social network such as Linked In could provide important, free information.
  
  
• 4). Southern Baptists are fiercely independent. Neither the SBC, state board nor county association has authority over a congregation. This independence is found throughout the SBC bylaws and constitution. No one appoints leaders at the local level. Church search committees are responsible for verifying a candidate's resume during the search process.
  
  SBC bylaws seem to assume its candidates are qualified. However, vacancies sometimes occur at agencies. Vacancies must be reported to the national Committee on Nominations immediately. Entity boards may make interim appointments when authorized by charter.