Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has narrowed the language in his proposed constitutional amendment to focus on women “specifically preaching” in a pastoral capacity. His earlier version, planned for introduction at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando next week, had said that cooperating Southern Baptist churches would “not affirm, appoint, or endorse women serving as pastors or elders” by actions “such as preaching to the assembled congregation.”
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This version, posted on social media Tuesday night (June 2) replaced “such as” with “specifically.” The action came in response to criticism that Mohler’s first version would have allowed limitation of a broader range of activities for women as being pastoral, and thereby reserved for men.
Other action
In the meantime, on June 1 the SBC Resolutions Committee published a resolution on male-only pastors and the roles open to women that it will introduce at the convention. That action is independent of Mohler’s proposed resurrection of the Law Amendment and suspension of parliamentary Standing Rule 6, bypassing the SBC Executive Committee and cutting one-year from the approval process. The resolution adds a second opportunity for messengers to vote on the concept of male-only pastors, but without binding action.
A third opportunity may be the creation of a task force to study the issue, which is proposed by SBC presidential candidate Willy Rice. If Rice gets recognized from a floor mic, he is reportedly expected to make the motion. He has advocated for two possible study groups. Specifically, Rice wants to affirm women in church life, while limiting the pastorate to men. Rice, and the other presidential candidate, Josh Powell, both endorsed Mohler’s plan for a “truth and unity” amendment.
More on the resolution
The resolution, which is a separate matter and one of 11 resolutions publicized, says churches should not allow women to serve in the pastoral capacity of church oversight. Resolutions do not change the SBC Constitution or affect the official criteria used by the Credentials Committee when assessing church affiliation or seating messengers. The resolution also seeks to affirm women, in much the same way Rice has stated, but not extending to pastoral leadership.
Any vote on a constitutional amendment will require two-thirds majority approval by convention messengers. If Standing Rule 6 is bypassed, a second vote could come in Indianapolis in 2027.
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Eric Reed and originally published by the Illinois Baptist.
