The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) will meet in Florida next week for its annual gathering, where delegates will once again debate whether to tighten rules on women serving in pastoral roles.

It is the fourth year in a row the issue has come before the convention as the denomination grapples with an internal dispute over gender and church leadership. The SBC already states in its doctrinal position that the office of pastor is limited to men, and has in recent years expelled churches that appoint women to senior roles.

A similar proposal was put to a vote last year and received majority support, around 61%, but failed to reach the two-thirds threshold needed to change the constitution. That amendment would have required churches to “affirm, appoint, or employ only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture”.

Supporters argued it was needed to make the denomination’s position clearer. Opponents said the move was unnecessary, arguing the SBC already has processes to deal with churches that don’t follow its rules.

Some also warned it could have a disproportionate impact on Black churches, where women more often hold pastoral titles.

The denomination has previously acted on the issue, including expelling Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in 2023 after it appointed women to senior leadership roles. 

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?”

This year’s debate comes alongside broader discussions at the meeting, including immigration and antisemitism, as the SBC continues to face declining membership despite rising baptisms.