Judge Dismissed Claims in Sills Lawsuit Against SBC
A federal judge dismissed several allegations in the defamation case filed by David Sills against Southern Baptist leaders.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Christianity
Judge William Campbell dismissed negligence, conspiracy, and emotional distress claims in the 2023 lawsuit filed by David Sills against various Southern Baptist Convention entities. The court denied summary judgment on remaining defamation claims, opting instead to order a settlement conference.
Why it matters
The ruling marks a procedural pivot in a high-profile legal battle involving allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse within the denomination. By ordering a settlement conference, the court seeks to resolve the litigation before it proceeds to a jury trial.
Jennifer Lyell, who accused Sills of coercion, was 47 at the time of her death in 2025. Sills had previously lost his position as a seminary professor in 2018 following the initial misconduct allegations.
The players
William Campbell
He is the U.S. District Court judge presiding over the litigation in Middle Tennessee.
David Sills
He is the former seminary professor who initiated the lawsuit following his 2018 termination.
Jennifer Lyell
She was a key figure who accused Sills of sexual coercion before her death in 2025.
Southern Baptist Convention
This is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States currently navigating multiple abuse-related legal challenges.
Willy Rice
He is the current President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
The details
While the court dismissed claims against former SBC Presidents Bart Barber and Ed Litton, it allowed defamation allegations against Al Mohler, Southern Seminary, Guidepost Solutions, and the SBC Executive Committee to continue. The litigation stems from a long-running dispute between David Sills and Jennifer Lyell, with Lyell alleging nonconsensual acts and Sills maintaining the relationship was voluntary.
Timeline
David Sills lost his job as a seminary professor in 2018.
Guidepost Solutions released a report regarding SBC abuse in 2022.
David Sills filed his lawsuit against SBC leaders in 2023.
Judge William Campbell dismissed most claims on September 29, 2026.
The court postponed the trial that was originally scheduled for November 2026.
Culture Shift
This case follows a pattern established by the 2022 Guidepost Solutions report on SBC abuse. The legal proceedings represent an ongoing effort to navigate the repercussions of historical abuse allegations within the denomination.
The transition to a settlement conference means the upcoming trial is currently on hold while parties engage in private negotiations. Residents and members of the denomination may experience continued uncertainty regarding the resolution of these allegations as the legal process unfolds.
The takeaway
Legal battles surrounding abuse allegations often result in protracted procedural delays rather than immediate court-room verdicts. Parties involved in these disputes frequently look to settlement conferences as a means to avoid the public exposure of a full jury trial.
Further reading
For more background on the evolving legal landscape within the church, visit Christianity.
