The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) on Wednesday voted against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have barred churches with women pastors from affiliating with the denomination.
The measure received 61 per cent support among delegates but failed to meet the two-thirds majority required for passage. The proposed amendment would have added language to the SBC’s constitution stating that cooperating churches must “affirm, appoint, or employ only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture".
Supporters of the amendment argued it was necessary to reinforce the denomination’s theological commitment to male-only pastoral leadership.
“Our culture may see this prohibition as harsh, but our God is all wise, and wrote this word for the flourishing of both men and women,” said Mike Law, pastor of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia and the author of the amendment, according to CNN.
Opponents argued that the SBC already has sufficient mechanisms to address churches that do not adhere to its stance on pastoral leadership. They also warned that the amendment could disproportionately affect African American congregations, many of which include women in pastoral roles.
“This amendment is unnecessary,” said Spence Shelton, pastor of Mercy Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. “The Convention has already acted to remove churches over this issue using existing processes.”
The vote highlights ongoing tensions within the SBC over the role of women in church leadership. While the denomination’s official statement of faith affirms that the office of pastor is limited to men, interpretations vary, with some leaders allowing women to serve in non-senior pastoral roles.
Despite the amendment's failure, the SBC continues to uphold its doctrinal position on male-only pastoral leadership. The close vote suggests the issue will remain a subject of active debate in future conventions.
In 2023, Pastor Rick Warren's Saddleback Church was expelled from the SBC for installing women as senior leaders.
The SBC said at the time that Saddleback "has a faith and practice" that does not align with the Convention's adopted statement of faith that “while both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture".
Warren has publicly expressed regret over his previous opposition to women in pastoral roles.
“I wish I could do it all over,” Warren said at the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting. “Christian women, will you please forgive me?”
Saddleback Church ordained its first three female pastors in 2021. Warren retired the following year and was succeeded by Pastor Andy Wood. Stacie Wood, Andy’s wife, was appointed as teaching pastor.
