Baptist leader indicted on federal charges

Christian Century, July 15, 1998

Henry J. Lyons, embattled president of the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc., was indicted July 2 on federal charges that he cheated corporations out of $5 million to purchase personal luxuries. Lyons, a St. Petersburg, Florida, pastor and the leader of the nation's largest black denomination, was named in 56 counts, including extortion, fraud and tax evasion. If convicted he could be sentenced to a maximum of 815 years in prison and $25 million in fines. He was freed on bond after appearing in federal court, and on July 6 he pleaded innocent to all charges.

African-American church experts say they expect this latest chapter in the Lyons saga--he was previously indicted on state charges of racketeering and grand theft--could prompt some who have supported him to demand his resignation. "I think this really does force their hands because it's no longer a matter of showing forgiveness to an errant pastor, but [facing] the leader of... a tax-exempt organization that has violated serious laws," said Robert Franklin, president of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. "I'm certain now that the convention will step up and do the right thing."

But a denominational leader said he is not ready to predict an early end to Lyons's presidency. "Indictments are not convictions, and it's a matter of now going to court," commented E. V. Hill, a NBCUSA board member who was in the Pacific island nation of Tonga when he learned of the new indictments against Lyons. "I am nothing right now but a board member who would like to help the president as much as I can. If his boat sinks, I will be the last to jump off."

Two others church officials were indicted with Lyons. Bernice Edwards, former director of public relations, was named in 25 counts, and Brenda Harris, who was director of meetings and conventions, was named in eight. Harris has pleaded innocent to the charges of conspiracy and fraud in connection with the allegations. The charges state that all three were involved in bank, mail and wire fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and the use of a false Social Security number. The money they gained in the denomination's name was allegedly used for ears, jewelry, houses, trips and country club memberships.

Lyons's troubles began a year ago, after his wife Deborah set fire July 6 to a pricey waterfront house the minister co-owned with Edwards. That led to charges of marital infidelity and financial misconduct, which Lyons has repeatedly denied.

Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, an associate minister of a Cambridge, Massachusetts, congregation aligned with both the NBCUSA and the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., said news of the indictments prompted a mixed response from her. "There is enough trouble and troubling information that an honorable person would have already offered to resign his position," said Gilkes, who also is an associate professor of African-American studies and sociology at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. But, recalling "horrendous indictments" of some activists in the 1960s and '70s who were later found innocent, she added, "The rule in this nation is innocent until proven guilty."

Gilkes believes Lyons would not agree with her that resigning would be an honorable action. "Given the fact that he hasn't offered to step down at this point, I don't think he will offer to step down because he will [view] stepping down as an indication he may be guilty," she said.

Franklin, who presides over a consortium of African-American theological schools, previously called on Lyons to step down at least until the charges were resolved. He said he was disappointed with Lyons's "Richard Nixonesque" appearance at last year's denominational convention, where Lyons uttered a "simple apology" but refused to resign. Now Franklin thinks the new charges may change some members' minds about supporting Lyons. "I think it's going to probably move a lot of people who were generally sympathetic and indifferent toward this matter to step up and demand some change."

In the midst of the scandal swirling around its leader, the denomination has nevertheless grown. As proof, Hill pointed out that the church's recent Congress of Christian Education in Indianapolis drew some 60,000 attendees, compared to 20,000 in 1994, when Lyons took office. "Our boards are all functioning," he said. "Our auxiliaries are all functioning. Our attendances are record-breaking .... On the one hand, his problems are increasing. On the other hand, the National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., is increasing." Ira Acree, pastor of Chicago's NBCUSA-affiliated Greater St. John Holiness Baptist Church, said he was "overwhelmed" by the latest charges, but still hoped Lyons would be absolved. "I'm just still waiting for him to be vindicated," he said. "He's always shown himself to be such a role model and exemplary citizen, just a good man .... I'm still hoping and pleading that there will be some type of closure to this matter wherein members of the National Baptist Convention won't have to hold their heads down in shame."