In a pivotal session on Wednesday, Southern Baptist delegates effectively blocked two measures that called for steering the already conservative denomination even further to the right. The representatives held votes on the future of its public-policy body and a proposed constitutional modification to prohibit churches led by women pastors.
As the closing moments of the Southern Baptist Convention’s two-day annual summit unfolded, participants voted 3,744-2,819 to maintain the existence of their public policy agency, countering campaigns for its dissolution from factions critical of its allegedly liberal positions on immigration. Detractors had advocated for a more conservative organization.
The second significant vote pertained to an initiative intended to enshrine a prohibition on women pastors within the denomination’s constitution. This proposal succeeded in drawing a 3,421-2,191 majority; however, it fell short of securing the two-thirds majority required to proceed with a constitutional amendment banning such practices.
These events highlight the ongoing discourse about the Southern Baptist Convention’s stance on conservatism. The meeting came rapidly on the heels of a strong endorsement by delegates to reverse the landmark Supreme Court ruling, Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. Such moves take place in a denomination that opposes the idea of women serving as pastors, particularly debating their role in less senior positions.
By choosing to retain the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), the delegates essentially affirmed confidence in the entity seen as the public advocate for the country’s largest evangelical group, especially amidst growing Christian conservative influence in governmental circles.
The call for ERLC’s dissolution was spearheaded by Willy Rice, senior pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida. He introduced the motion with a view to address various criticisms from within the community. Had it passed, the agency would have been tasked with implementing changes ahead of the upcoming annual meeting, when a decisive vote could have been held. “This motion serves as a warning sign,” reflected Rice.
Echoing a strong defense of keeping the ERLC, Richard Land, a former president of the commission, emphasized the risks of dampening the Baptist voice in political debates. “In my lifetime, we haven’t had better opportunities to shape policies at a national level,” he stated, pointing to significant political influence in Washington.
Under President Donald Trump, notable religious entities with substantial evangelical Christian input have emerged, mirroring strong support from these communities. Brent Leatherwood, current ERLC president, promoted the group’s objectives to the assembly, citing collaborations with influential figures such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist himself. He articulated the necessity of the ERLC: “By removing our voice in the public square, the SBC would be retreating from a platform crucial for sharing the Gospel and opposing secular efforts to marginalize religion,” Leatherwood noted.
The ERLC, largely a non-lobbying entity, stands against liberal stances on issues like abortion and transgender rights, advocating for pro-Israel politics and supplying ultrasound machines to discourage abortions. Leatherwood credits the agency for the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe v. Wade in 2022, which catalyzed state-level abortion restrictions and for efforts to cut financial support to Planned Parenthood. Yet, dissent arose due to the ERLC’s stance against legal penalties for women who elect for abortions, as expressed by Ethan Jago of Five Bridges Church, Florida, who contested the commission’s actions as hindering pro-life legislation.
A debate persists about women in pastoral roles, particularly whether such restrictions apply strictly to senior positions or extend to other pastoral roles with evangelical responsibilities. Recent Southern Baptist actions involved excluding churches with women serving as lead pastors, resulting in high-profile exits, including that of Saddleback Church in California. Despite this year’s leniency towards a South Carolina church keeping a woman on pastoral staff, an interest in a constitutional amendment signifies the enduring nature of this debate.
The ERLC’s history is punctuated with controversy, such as an enduring backlash following Leatherwood’s past commendation of then-President Joe Biden over a reelection bid withdrawal. This led to his near-dismissal by the former commission chair, only to be swiftly rescinded following a board intervention affirming Leatherwood’s leadership. Tensions have also flared previously over criticisms directed at pro-Trump pastors. These incidents illustrate ongoing contention within the denomination as it navigates its path forward.