A group of Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leaders is calling for a renewed discussion on an amendment aimed at solidifying the prohibition of female pastors within the denomination. This comes after the proposal fell just short—5 percentage points—of the two-thirds majority required for approval during last year’s convention.
In an open letter addressed to the SBC community, these pastors and ministry leaders expressed their desire to revisit the Law Amendment at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas. The letter highlights a recent decision by the Credentials Committee that allowed a church in South Carolina to maintain its affiliation with the convention despite having a woman in a teaching pastor role. This decision has sparked concerns among those advocating for stricter adherence to the SBC’s traditional stance on pastoral leadership.
The proposed amendment aims to clarify that only churches affirming, appointing, or employing men as pastors or elders would be recognized as being in friendly cooperation with the SBC. The letter states, “It is apparent that the Credentials Committee needs the clarification that this Amendment would have provided.” The signatories argue that the same language has already received majority support in previous conventions, making it unnecessary to delay the amendment’s consideration further.
The pastors are urging the annual meeting to suspend the standing rule that would delegate the amendment to the Executive Committee, which might postpone its presentation for another year. They emphasize the importance of voting on the amendment directly, as it has already been debated extensively in the last two conventions.
Among the prominent signatories of the letter are Nate Akin, executive director of the Pillar Network, and several senior pastors from various churches across the country. They collectively affirm the need for the SBC to align closely with its confession of faith, particularly regarding biblical qualifications for pastoral roles.
The Baptist Faith and Message 2000, which outlines the beliefs of the SBC, explicitly states that the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. The Law Amendment, named after Pastor Mike Law of Arlington Baptist Church in Virginia, seeks to amend the SBC Constitution to reinforce this position.
Despite the push for the amendment, there has been significant opposition. Former SBC President J.D. Greear has voiced concerns that such a measure could alienate minority churches and undermine the SBC’s historic principles of cooperation. He has previously described the amendment as “unwise” and unnecessary, cautioning against potential fallout from its adoption.
During last year’s SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, a notable 61% of messengers voted in favor of the Law Amendment, but it fell short of the 66.66% needed for ratification. Approximately 1,800 SBC member churches reportedly have women serving in pastoral roles, which adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing debate.
Following the failed amendment, the Texas-based Baptist Women in Ministry expressed gratitude for the support shown by churches and messengers who voted against the prohibition, emphasizing the equal value of women in ministry roles.
As the SBC prepares for its upcoming meeting, the discussion surrounding the Law Amendment is likely to be a focal point, reflecting broader conversations about gender roles within the church and the future direction of the denomination. The outcome of this debate could have lasting implications for the SBC and its member churches as they seek to uphold their theological convictions while engaging with contemporary cultural dynamics.
For more on the SBC’s stance and developments, you can visit the official Southern Baptist Convention website.