Southern Baptists Advance Constitutional Ban on Women Pastors
The Southern Baptist Convention voted 75% in favor of a constitutional amendment that would bar churches from having women serve in any pastoral role. The measure passed at the June 2026 annual meeting in Orlando and must clear a second vote at the 2027 meeting to take effect.
The Southern Baptist Convention moved closer to a formal ban on women pastors at its annual meeting in Orlando on June 10, 2026. Delegates voted 6,028 to 2,026 in favor of the "Truth and Unity Amendment," which would require the expulsion of any church that appoints a woman to serve as pastor, elder, or overseer, or allows a woman to preach to the assembled congregation.
The 75% approval rate cleared the required two-thirds threshold. Under SBC rules, constitutional changes must pass by a two-thirds majority at two consecutive annual meetings. The amendment now heads to the 2027 gathering for a second vote before it can take effect.
Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, introduced the measure and framed it as a necessary stand for biblical faithfulness. He argued that the denomination's existing faith statement, which has limited the pastoral office to men since 2000, lacked the enforcement teeth to hold churches accountable.
The SBC has expelled several congregations in recent years for having women in pastoral roles, including the high-profile removal of Saddleback Church. Proponents say the amendment would give the denomination clearer authority to act.
Baptist Women in Ministry, an advocacy group, called the vote a moment of "heartbreak" and reported that female ministers had faced increased online harassment and hostile rhetoric in the weeks leading up to the meeting.
The SBC reported a 3% membership decline in its most recent data, bringing total membership to 12.3 million. Critics of the amendment argued the denomination should focus on reversing that trend rather than tightening internal restrictions.
