Updated
Updated · Baptist Press · Jun 10
SBC Messengers Advance Mohler Amendment, Kill 6 Task Force Motions
Updated
Updated · Baptist Press · Jun 10

SBC Messengers Advance Mohler Amendment, Kill 6 Task Force Motions

3 articles · Updated · Baptist Press · Jun 10

Summary

  • Southern Baptist Convention messengers voted to suspend Standing Rule 6 and put Albert Mohler’s constitutional amendment on Wednesday’s agenda instead of sending it to the Executive Committee for next-year review.
  • Article 3 would explicitly bar cooperating churches from affirming, appointing or endorsing women serving in the office or function of pastor, elder or overseer, including preaching to the assembled congregation.
  • Six study or task-force proposals were then effectively defeated after messengers refused to refer five to the Executive Committee and another to incoming president Willy Rice, before indefinitely postponing all of them.
  • Benjamin Cole argued the Executive Committee was already overburdened, echoing concerns raised after EC President Jeff Iorg said the proposed 2026-27 Cooperative Program budget would reduce the committee’s funding.
  • Two governance-amendment motions still went automatically to the Executive Committee, while 20 other motions awaited action, including proposals on trustee eligibility, online registration, vaccine policy, transparency and a pastors-only biological-male standard.

Insights

With a pastor ban advancing, what's next for women serving in Southern Baptist churches?
As the SBC tightens its rules, will it shrink into purity or spark a conservative revival?