Texas Court Upholds Second Baptist Houston Bylaws, Dismisses Member Lawsuit

A Texas Business Court judge ruled on July 15, 2026, that Second Baptist Church of Houston acted lawfully when it amended its bylaws in 2023, eliminating congregational voting rights and transferring governing authority to a Ministry Leadership Team.

Judge Grant Dorfman issued a 40-page opinion largely favoring the church. He found that the 2023 bylaw amendments were adopted properly under Texas law because the church provided sufficient oral notice during worship services, which Texas law permits for church corporations.

The lawsuit was filed by the Jeremiah Counsel, a group of current and former members who alleged that church leadership deceptively changed the bylaws to ensure the succession of Ben Young as senior pastor without a congregational vote. The 94,000-member congregation had historically voted on budgets, leadership, and pastoral selection.

Dorfman dismissed fraud and breach of fiduciary duty claims under the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, which prevents civil courts from interfering in internal church governance. He ruled that adjudicating those claims would require the court to define what constitutes a "biblical church," a constitutionally protected religious matter.

The court did invalidate a separate attempt to amend the church's articles of incorporation, finding the church failed to provide mandatory written notice. However, that ruling did not restore voting rights.

Plaintiffs were granted the right to pursue an accounting of certain financial records. They have indicated plans to appeal. The decision has sparked broader debate about the concentration of power in large religious institutions and the limited legal options available to church members.