Southern Baptists Advance Amendment Formalizing Ban on Women Pastors
Messengers at the Southern Baptist Convention's Annual Meeting in Orlando voted 6,028 to 2,026 on June 10 to approve the Truth and Unity Amendment, a constitutional change barring cooperating churches from affirming, appointing, or endorsing a woman serving as pastor, elder, or overseer, including preaching to the assembled congregation. The nearly 75 percent approval easily cleared the two-thirds threshold required for a constitutional amendment.
Supporters said the change closes ambiguity that had let some churches interpret the denomination's existing statement of faith loosely. Opponents argued the current rules already addressed the issue. A second two-thirds vote at next year's Annual Meeting in Indianapolis is required before the amendment takes effect.
