Southern Baptist Pastors Push for Revote on Female Pastor Ban
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) finds itself once again at the crossroads of theological interpretation and denominational policy as a faction of its clergy advocates for a renewed vote on a contentious amendment. This initiative, aimed at permanently barring female pastors within its member churches, narrowly missed ratification last year by a mere 5% shortfall of the required two-thirds majority.
In a coordinated effort documented in “An Open Letter to Our Southern Baptist Family,” a coalition of pastors and ministry leaders is calling for the Law Amendment to be reconsidered at the forthcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas. This push comes in the wake of the SBC Credentials Committee’s recent decision to permit a South Carolina church to remain affiliated despite having a woman as a teaching pastor.
The letter articulates, “That amendment would have clarified that the Convention will only deem a church to be in friendly cooperation which ‘Affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.'” The pastors believe the Credentials Committee requires this clarity, prompting their support to amend the SBC Constitution again.
The proponents are not suggesting new wording but advocating for the same language that gained majority backing at the last two conventions. They propose suspending a standing rule to expedite the amendment process, bypassing the Executive Committee’s potential delay.
Should the proposal gain sufficient support, it would move to a decisive vote at the SBC Annual Meeting in 2026. “We want to be a convention in friendly cooperation with churches that closely identify with our confession of faith, including our clearly stated beliefs about biblical qualifications for pastoral office,” the letter continues.
The letter’s signatories include notable names such as Nate Akin of the Pillar Network, Pastor H.B. Charles from Florida, and other prominent pastors from across the nation. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 defines “pastor” as one fulfilling pastoral duties, with Article VI reserving the pastor’s office for men as qualified by Scripture.
Named after Pastor Mike Law, the Law Amendment seeks to prevent any SBC-affiliated church from appointing a woman as an elder or pastor. Despite past SBC actions to disfellowship churches with female leaders, Law has identified roughly 1,800 congregations with women in pastoral roles.
Opposition to the amendment includes former SBC President J.D. Greear, who believes it to be “unwise” and potentially alienating to minority churches. Greear emphasized in a statement that the amendment could undermine cooperative principles.
Last year’s proposal in Indianapolis saw 61% support but failed the 66.66% threshold needed for ratification, despite advancing with about 80% approval at the 2023 New Orleans meeting. In contrast, the Baptist Women in Ministry group praised the amendment’s failure, interpreting it as a message supporting the equal value of women.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
