Southern Baptist Convention Maintains Traditional Views on Women’s Role in Church

Annual Meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention

At the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis, delegates rejected a proposal to amend the bylaws to clearly state that only men can be pastors. However, this decision does not signify a change in their conservative views on the role of women in the church.

Reaction to the Vote

According to Religion News Service, gender and sexuality studies researcher Susan M. Shaw stated that a day before the vote, the convention disfellowshipped the First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, due to its position on women serving as pastors. The vote was decisive: 6,759 against 563.

Women in Leadership

Currently, there are approximately 1,000 to 1,800 women holding the title of pastor in the SBC, but most of them serve as associate, youth, or children’s pastors under the leadership of male senior pastors.

Conservative History

Historically, in 1984, the SBC adopted a resolution rejecting women as senior pastors. The proposed constitutional amendment aimed to define the church’s relationship with the SBC as a partner only if it «affirms, appoints, or hires only men to any pastor or senior leadership position as defined by Scripture.»

Resolutions and Lack of Progress

Additionally, a resolution against the use of in vitro fertilization (IVF) was passed at the meeting, as they believe it leads to the «destruction of human life embryos.» Despite pressure to address sexual violence issues, the convention did not make significant progress in this area, leaving many disappointed.

Therefore, the vote against the amendment, the resolution against IVF, and the lack of action on reforms regarding sexual violence highlight that the ultraconservative views of the SBC towards women remain unchanged.