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The Southern Baptist Convention is set to commence its annual meeting on Tuesday, where representatives from the staunchly conservative evangelical denomination are poised to vote on a constitutional amendment that would formally prohibit churches with women pastors.
This pivotal gathering will also see church delegates, known as messengers, elect a new leader and consider a range of resolutions addressing issues from immigration to antisemitism.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that messengers will deliberate on an amendment concerning women in pastoral roles.
While the Southern Baptist Convention's statement of belief, the Baptist Faith and Message, explicitly opposes women pastors, its member churches operate independently, preventing direct denominational control over their internal practices.
However, the denomination retains the authority to exclude churches from its ranks, a power it has already exercised against some congregations with women in senior pastoral positions.
The proposed amendment seeks to clarify this stance by specifically banning churches in which women hold the office of pastor or function in such a capacity, including "preaching to the assembled congregation."
Previous attempts to pass this amendment have failed to secure the required two-thirds vote in two consecutive years, despite often achieving a majority.
The latest iteration of the amendment is championed by Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Mohler argues that a constitutional amendment would provide much-needed clarity and put an end to the protracted debates that have consumed the issue in recent years.
He was also a principal author of the 2000 revision to the Baptist Faith and Message, which codified opposition to women pastors and was adopted in the same Orlando convention hall hosting this week's meeting.
Southern Baptist leaders frequently cite biblical passages they interpret as clearly limiting the pastoral role to men. Conversely, advocates for women in ministry highlight biblical texts that empower women to share the gospel.
A billboard near the convention center, sponsored by Baptist Women in Ministry, an advocacy group, boldly proclaims: "God calls women to pastor, preach and minister."
Beyond the contentious pastoral amendment, messengers are also scheduled to vote on resolutions Wednesday that condemn antisemitism and advocate for the humane treatment of migrants, while simultaneously affirming the legitimacy of immigration enforcement.