Southern Baptists to vote on ban on girls pastors at New Orleans assembly

Delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual assembly in New Orleans are anticipated to vote Tuesday on a constitutional ban on girls serving “as a pastor of any kind.”

The SBC’s Executive Committee agreed to advance the movement from the Rev. Mike Law Jr. of Arlington Baptist Church in Northern Virginia, however says it opposes the proposed modification. The governing physique mentioned the church’s doctrinal assertion — often known as the “Baptist Faith and Message” — already establishes that prohibition.

“Our beliefs are most appropriately stated in our adopted statement of faith rather than in our constitution,” the committee mentioned in an announcement.

The 2000 model of the SBC message states: “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”

Mr. Law informed The Washington Times in an e mail that the denomination “is in desperate need of clarity” about its beliefs and mentioned he’s “thankful” delegates have the chance to vote on the measure.

“This Amendment announces that our belief will be the basis of our behavior and cooperation as a Convention. We must believe what the Bible teaches, and put those beliefs into practice,” Mr. Law mentioned.

The problem flared up in February, when the Executive Committee expelled Saddleback Church — one of many denomination’s largest congregations — for having designated a girl as a “teaching pastor.” Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, which has the Rev. Linda Barnes Popham as its lead pastor, additionally was expelled.

Both congregations are interesting their expulsions on the enterprise session in New Orleans.

The Rev. Rick Warren, who based Saddleback in 1980 and led the congregation till his retirement in 2022, is difficult the expulsion.

When Mr. Warren retired, the Rev. Andy Wood was named lead pastor at Saddleback. Mr. Wood’s spouse, Stacie, was named a “teaching pastor,” triggering the Executive Committee motion. Ms. Wood is described as a “pastor” on the Saddleback web site, however her place just isn’t said.

In an open letter to SBC delegates, Mr. Warren mentioned Baptists ought to affirm the “Baptist Faith and Message” as “a consensus of opinion” and “not a creed,” as they’ve for years.

“Your own family members often hold opposing opinions, but you don’t disown them for that,” Mr. Warren wrote. “You still love them in spite of disagreements.”

He cited a 2015 modification to the SBC structure that mentioned church buildings are “in friendly cooperation” with the motion — the group’s time period for church membership — provided that they’ve “a faith and practice which closely identifies with the Convention’s adopted statement of faith.” The Saddleback founder mentioned the transfer was “misguided.”