People

Frank Page, Southern Baptist head, resigns over 'a personal failing'

Page, 65, was known for bridging divides in the 15-million-member de­nom­ination.

Frank Page, the Southern Baptist Convention’s top executive, left his role as president and CEO of its executive committee following what he called a “personal indiscretion.”

Stephen Rum­mage, chairman of the executive committee, announced March 27 that Page was retiring, effective immediately, according to Baptist Press, the official news service of the Southern Baptist Convention. It was “precipitated by a morally inappropriate relationship in the recent past.”

Page said, “As a result of a personal failing, I have embarrassed my family, my Lord, myself, and the kingdom.”

Page, 65, was known for bridging divides in the 15-million-member de­nom­ination, which is the largest among U.S. Protestants. In 2013, Page helped bring together Calvinists and non-Calvinists during a dispute about the theology of salvation. And last year, when some churches threatened to cut off support for the SBC after chief ethicist Russell Moore criticized Donald Trump, Page met with Moore, and the two issued a statement of unity. —Religion News Service

A version of this article appears in the print edition under the title “People: Frank Page.”