Southern Baptists Move to Prohibit Women Pastors in Churches
WHO:
AP News - The organization Baptist Women in Ministry issued a statement lamenting the vote, expressing solidarity with women in ministry who have been harmed by the vote.
CNN - Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, sponsored the amendment.
CNN - Doug Mize, a pastor from South Carolina, opposed the measure.
CNN - Willy Rice, a Florida pastor, was elected as the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
WHAT:
AP News - SBC messengers approved resolutions denouncing political violence and hateful speech, and called for humane treatment of immigrants while affirming the legitimacy of immigration enforcement.
AP News - A resolution was also passed denouncing antisemitic violence and conspiracy theories, particularly those arising during Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.
CNN - Southern Baptists voted 6,028 to 2,026 to advance a formal ban on women pastors, achieving a 3-to-1 margin.
CNN - The amendment requires a similar two-thirds vote at the next annual meeting to become part of the constitution.
CNN - The amendment's language mandates the exclusion of any church that affirms, appoints, or endorses a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer.
ABC News US - The vote was described as overwhelming.
WHERE:
CNN - The vote took place at the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.
CNN - The SBC is the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
WHEN:
AP News - The resolutions were approved on the same day as the vote on the amendment regarding women pastors.
CNN - The vote occurred on the last day of the convention’s two-day annual meeting.
CNN - The amendment will require a similar two-thirds vote at the next year's meeting to be adopted.
WHY:
AP News - The resolutions reflect the SBC's stance on current social issues, including political violence and immigration.
CNN - The amendment is seen as addressing a defining issue within the Southern Baptist Convention, according to Albert Mohler.
CNN - Southern Baptist leaders cite biblical passages that limit pastors to men as a reason for the ban.
HOW:
AP News - The resolutions require only a simple majority to pass, contrasting with the two-thirds majority needed for the amendment on women pastors.
CNN - The SBC has the power to expel churches from convention membership if they are not in “friendly cooperation” with its faith statement.
(UPDATED June 11, 2026 01:45 UTC)
The Southern Baptist Convention messengers approved several resolutions addressing key social issues, including a strong denouncement of political violence and hateful speech, as well as a call for humane treatment of immigrants while affirming the legitimacy of immigration enforcement. In addition, a resolution was passed condemning antisemitic violence and conspiracy theories, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These resolutions were approved on the same day as a contentious vote regarding women pastors, which required a two-thirds majority to pass, while the resolutions only needed a simple majority.
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(UPDATED June 10, 2026 19:52 UTC)
In a significant decision, Southern Baptists voted overwhelmingly, with a margin of six thousand twenty-eight to two thousand twenty-six, to advance a formal ban on women serving as pastors, which will require a similar two-thirds vote at next year's annual meeting to become part of the constitution. The amendment, sponsored by Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, mandates the exclusion of any church that affirms or appoints a woman to the role of pastor, elder, or overseer, reflecting a defining issue within the convention. Willy Rice, a pastor from Florida, has been elected as the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.