There’s been a head-spinning reversal of messages from the public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. On Sunday, its leader applauded President Joe Biden’s “selfless act” of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. On Monday, the agency announced the firing of that leader, Brent Leatherwood. But on Tuesday, it retracted that announcement.
Southern Baptists narrowly reject formal ban on churches with any women pastors
Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting have narrowly rejected a proposal to enshrine a ban on churches with women pastors in the denomination’s constitution. The outcome still leaves the SBC with its official doctrinal statement saying the office of pastor is limited to men.
Southern Baptists are poised to ban churches with women pastors. Some are urging them to reconsider
The Southern Baptist Convention is preparing to vote on a proposed constitutional ban on churches with women pastors. The vote will take place at the annual meeting of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination June 11-12 in Indianapolis. The denomination’s statement of faith says the office of pastor is reserved for men. However, that statement is non-binding. By some estimates, the proposal could affect hundreds of churches with women as either lead or associate pastors. The denomination can’t tell its independent churches what to do, but it can boot them out. Even without a formal ban last year, it ousted one of its largest congregations, Saddleback Church of California, for having women pastors.
United Methodists repeal longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy
They removed a rule forbidding “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference — the first such legislative gathering in five years.
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