Southern Baptist Convention Votes to Ban Women as Pastors
The amendment explicitly bans churches from "affirming, appointing, or endorsing a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor."
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, voted on June 14, 2023, to amend its constitution to explicitly ban women from serving as pastors. The vote was 6,028 in favor and 2,026 against, exceeding the required two-thirds majority. The amendment must receive a similar two-thirds vote at the 2024 annual meeting to become permanent.
Key Details
- Scope of the Ban: The amendment states that churches in "friendly cooperation" with the SBC must not "affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, specifically preaching to the assembled congregation."
- From Statement to Requirement: The SBC already had a non-binding faith statement (the Baptist Faith and Message, revised in 2000) that limits the office of pastor to men. The amendment makes this a constitutional requirement for membership.
- Attendance and Enforcement: Over 11,000 delegates (called "messengers") attended the two-day meeting in Orlando, Florida. The SBC can expel churches that violate its constitution, as it has done in recent years with several congregations, including Saddleback Church.
Statements
Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and sponsor of the amendment:
"This is an opportunity for Southern Baptists to speak in truth, in unity, in conviction. There’s a great line that divides liberal and biblical evangelicalism, and you can see it on this very issue."
Doug Mize, a pastor from South Carolina, was the only speaker opposing the measure. He argued that the existing mechanism for expelling churches with women pastors already works and that the amendment was unnecessary.
Baptist Women in Ministry, an organization supporting female ministers, issued a statement expressing "solidarity with the women in ministry who have been harmed by this vote."
Context
- Biblical Foundation: The Baptist Faith and Message also asserts the "servant leadership" of husbands over wives, a role many Southern Baptists see as biblically mandated.
- Denominational Contrast: The vote contrasts with practices in more liberal Protestant denominations, which ordain women, and with conservative Pentecostal and charismatic circles where some women serve as prominent pastors. The Catholic and Orthodox churches ordain only men.
- Other Resolutions: The SBC also passed resolutions denouncing political violence, hateful speech, antisemitism, and calling for humane treatment of immigrants.
- New Leadership: On June 13, the SBC elected Willy Rice, pastor of Calvary Church in Clearwater, Florida, as its next president. Rice supported the amendment.
Outcome
The amendment will be voted on again at the 2024 annual meeting. If it passes with a two-thirds majority, it will be added to the SBC constitution.