Southern Baptists Vote to Advance Constitutional Ban on Women Pastors
At its annual meeting in Orlando on June 10, 2026, the Southern Baptist Convention voted with roughly 75 percent approval to advance a constitutional amendment that would explicitly prohibit women from serving as pastors or preaching to assembled congregations. The measure, called the Truth and Unity Amendment, requires a second vote at the 2027 annual meeting to be ratified.
The Southern Baptist Convention voted at its annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, on June 10, 2026, to advance a constitutional amendment banning women from serving as pastors. The vote passed with approximately 75 percent approval.
The proposed amendment, called the Truth and Unity Amendment, goes beyond the SBC's existing statement of faith. It explicitly bars women from performing pastoral functions, including preaching to assembled congregations. Supporters say the change is needed to ensure uniformity across the denomination and prevent what they describe as sloppy ecclesiology around church leadership titles.
Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, introduced the amendment. He and other supporters frame it as a countercultural commitment to biblical teaching on the creation order.
Advocacy groups such as Baptist Women in Ministry expressed heartbreak over the decision. They argue the amendment limits women's voices, promotes harmful theology, and contributes to an environment of harassment against female ministers.
For the amendment to become part of the SBC constitution, it must pass by at least a two-thirds majority in two consecutive annual meetings. A second vote is scheduled for the 2027 annual meeting in Indianapolis. Previous attempts to pass similar measures in 2023 and 2024 fell short of the required threshold.
The SBC has already cut ties with several churches over the issue of female pastors, including Saddleback Church. Observers say this amendment could lead to further departures from congregations with more egalitarian views.
