Texas Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Second Baptist Houston, Upholds Bylaw Changes

A Texas judge dismissed a lawsuit against Second Baptist Church in Houston on July 15, 2026, siding with church leadership in a dispute over governance and pastoral succession.

Judge Grant Dorfman of the Texas 11th Division Business Court ruled that courts cannot interfere with the internal governance of religious organizations. The decision invoked the church autonomy doctrine, which limits civil court involvement in ecclesiastical matters.

The lawsuit was brought by the "Jeremiah Counsel," a group of current and former members who challenged bylaw changes made at a May 2023 business meeting. At that meeting, church leadership secured a 315-to-2 vote to amend governing documents, removing the congregation's right to vote on budgets, leadership, and pastoral succession.

The court found that a 2023 amendment to the church's articles of incorporation was invalid because leadership failed to provide the written notice required by Texas law. However, the bylaw amendments themselves were upheld, as the relevant statute only required oral notice at a worship service.

The ruling effectively ended a jury trial that had been scheduled for July 27, 2026. It solidifies the new governance structure that concentrates authority under a self-perpetuating Ministry Leadership Team and allows Ben Young, son of founding pastor Ed Young, to continue as senior pastor.

The Jeremiah Counsel said it plans to appeal, arguing the court misapplied the church autonomy doctrine and failed to address core allegations of manipulation. The case drew national attention as a test of how far civil courts can go in reviewing the governance of large, multi-campus churches.

Despite the dismissals, the court affirmed that members retain the right to request a full accounting of church assets, property, and finances.