Southern Baptist Convention advances ban on women pastors

Delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday, June 10, to advance a constitutional amendment that would formally prohibit churches with women pastors from remaining in the denomination. The vote, held during the SBC's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, marks a significant step toward codifying a longstanding theological position within the nation's largest Protestant body.

The measure, known as the Truth and Unity Amendment, passed with 74.6% of the vote, easily exceeding the two-thirds majority required. It will need to pass again by a similar margin at next year's annual meeting to be added to the SBC constitution. The amendment specifically requires the exclusion of any church that "affirms, appoints, or endorses a woman" serving in the office or function of a pastor, including preaching to the assembled congregation.

The amendment's sponsor, Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, described the issue as a defining theological question. He argued the amendment provides constitutional clarity and prevents the denomination from drifting toward what he termed liberal evangelicalism. The sole opposition voiced...