Southern Baptists Debate Ban on Women Pastors at Upcoming Convention

Fri Jun 05 2026 14:33:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando is set to consider a constitutional amendment that would ban churches whose pastors are women, following a series of close votes over the past year.

During its annual meeting this Tuesday in Orlando, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) will debate for the fourth year in a row whether to amend its constitution to prohibit churches with women in pastoral roles. The proposed amendment, drafted by Albert Mohler, seeks a two‑thirds majority, a threshold that has been narrowly missed in previous attempts. While the SBC has historically expelled congregations that place women in senior pastoral positions, the issue remains contentious. Other resolutions on immigration, anti‑Jewish violence, and the denomination’s political alignment with President Donald Trump will also be debated. Membership data indicates a continuing decline to 12.3 million, though baptisms have risen. The convention’s outcomes will inform the future direction of the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) will convene this Tuesday in Orlando for its annual meeting, where delegates will debate, for the fourth consecutive year, whether to amend its constitution to bar churches that have women serving as pastors, elders or overseers.

The Past Debate

In the last three years the convention voted in favor of a ban that would prevent churches from appointing women in any pastoral capacity, but each attempt fell short of the required two‑thirds supermajority. The Baptist Faith and Message, the denomination’s statement of faith, holds that the office of pastor is reserved for men. Though it is not a binding law for individual churches, the SBC has historically used the rule to expel congregations that placed women in senior pastoral roles.

Mohler’s Amendment

Presbyterian at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Albert Mohler, proposed a new amendment that would forbid any church that “to affirm, appoint or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of pastor/elder/overseer” from operating under SBC oversight. Mohler said the debate has become an “unnecessary distraction” and that constitutional clarity would settle the issue once and for all.

Other Resolution Candidates

Alongside the debate over women pastors, delegates will consider policy statements on a range of issues, including humane treatment of immigrants, opposition to anti‑Jewish violence, and clarification of the SBC’s views on Israel. The proposed immigrant resolution calls for respectful treatment of newcomers while affirming the federal government’s duty to enforce immigration laws. The resolution on antisemitism explicitly condemns violence against Jews and reaffirms the SBC’s intent to welcome Jewish people into the Christian faith, a position the denomination has historically defended as evangelistic.

Membership Decline and Cultural Shifts

Internal data released by the SBC shows its membership has fallen to 12.3 million, the lowest level recorded since 1973. The body has seen a steady rise in baptisms, a key spiritual indicator that suggests new converts but insufficient to halt the overall decline.

Political Alignment with Trump

Southern Baptists remain closely tied to the white evangelical political bloc that has largely supported President Donald Trump. While many SBC leaders praised Trump’s policies on immigration and foreign affairs, they were quick to distance themselves from controversial statements on social media. President Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas, a known Trump ally, lauded the country’s “Religious Liberty Commission” and endorsed the president’s military posture toward Iran.

Conclusion

With a full complement of nearly 11,000 delegates, the SBC’s convention will once again serve as a bellwether for ideological trends among American evangelicals. Whether the denomination will move further rightward or continue wrestling with biblical and political debates will be decided over the next two days.

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