SBC Pastor Matt Queen Resigns From Church After Pleading Guilty in FBI Investigation
A month after pleading guilty to one charge of making false statements to the FBI, former professor and interim provost at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), Matthew Queen, has resigned from the pastorate of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice indicted Queen on charges of obstructing justice, with FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith explaining that he “failed to inform the FBI of a conspiracy to destroy evidence related to the ongoing investigation of sexual misconduct and instead produced falsified notes to investigators.”
Queen has been a prominent figure in Southern Baptist circles, mainly known for his role at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Queen held the prestigious L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism, also known as the “Chair of Fire,” at SWBTS.
His tenure at the seminary began in 2010, following his service in pastoral ministry in North Carolina. Queen was highly regarded for his dedication to evangelism, often participating in and leading efforts to share the gospel within the community and beyond.
While at SWBTS, Queen was a regular commentator on evangelism within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). He emphasized the importance of obedience in evangelism, encouraging Christians to overcome their fears and engage in gospel conversations actively.
In February 2024, Queen announced his return to pastoral ministry in his home state of North Carolina. He was called to serve as the pastor of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro but was put on leave following the indictment. Now, he’s gone.
A press release form the church reads:
“Dr. Matthew Queen is stepping down from his role as Lead Pastor at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, effective immediately. While this has been a challenging season, we continue to trust in God’s sovereignty and remain focused on our mission. As we move forward, we encourage our congregation and the wider community to stay focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Sentencing for Queen is set for Feb. 26, 2025. According to federal sentencing guidelines, he faces five years in prison, but given his status as a first-time offender, he likely faces 1 to 3 years.
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