Southern Baptist Convention Advances Constitutional Amendment Restricting Women Pastors

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has voted overwhelmingly to advance a constitutional amendment that would formally prohibit member churches from affirming or appointing women as pastors, further strengthening the denomination’s long-standing position on church leadership.

During the SBC’s annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, delegates approved the proposal by a vote of 6,028 to 2,026, comfortably surpassing the two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments. The measure, however, must receive another two-thirds vote at the denomination’s 2027 annual meeting before it can officially become part of the SBC constitution.

The amendment seeks to formalize existing doctrinal restrictions contained in the SBC’s statement of faith, which already teaches that the office of pastor should be limited to men. Supporters argue that embedding the rule in the constitution will provide greater clarity and consistency for member churches.

One of the leading advocates of the amendment, Albert Mohler, described the issue as a defining matter of biblical authority and evangelical identity. He argued that the measure would reaffirm what many Southern Baptists consider a core doctrinal belief regarding church leadership.

Critics, including advocacy groups supporting women in ministry, contend that the move further restricts opportunities for women within church leadership and undermines their contributions to ministry. Opponents have also argued that the denomination already possesses mechanisms to address churches that do not align with its doctrinal standards, making a constitutional amendment unnecessary.

The vote marks the latest chapter in a years-long debate within the SBC. Similar efforts to enshrine a ban in the denomination’s constitution failed in previous years after falling short of the required supermajority, despite receiving majority support.

With more than 12 million members and over 46,000 congregations, the Southern Baptist Convention remains one of the most influential Christian denominations in the United States. The outcome of next year’s vote will determine whether the proposed ban becomes a permanent constitutional requirement for churches seeking affiliation with the denomination.