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The SBC Didn’t Change Its Mind. It Changed Its Rules

The SBC Didn’t Change Its Mind. It Changed Its Rules

Last updated on: June 18, 2026 at 9:32 pm by Layne Wallace

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The SBC Didn’t Change Its Mind. It Changed Its Rules 2026-06-18T21:32:03-04:00 Layne Wallace

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The Truth and Unity Amendment

The 2026 Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting, meeting in Orlando, passed the “Truth and Unity” amendment. Proposed by the President of Southern Seminary, Albert Mohler, the purpose of the amendment is to remove from the convention congregations that have women who serve as pastors.

Update on the Truth & Unity Amendment

The Reaction

The reaction to the amendment is quite interesting. Those who left the convention years ago seem shocked, shocked, that the SBC would do such a thing, even though the convention has telegraphed this move for at least 26 years. The sound of Baptist dissidents clasping pearls, getting the vapors, and collapsing on their fainting couches is almost comical. There is no good reason for it.

In their shock at what the SBC has done, some dissident Baptists have argued that women ministers need support. If, however, seeing the SBC state again what it has said for three decades is unsettling, perhaps one is missing the fortitude required to be a minister. This amendment is not shocking. It is not out of character. The amendment is an expression of exactly who Southern Baptists are. The sentiment to oppose women pastors is not a change.

What Is a Pastor?

What is a change is how the amendment interprets the word pastor and how the SBC understands its statement of faith. Back in 2000, when the most recent Baptist Faith and Message (BF&M) was passed, the messengers affirmed that the office of pastor was limited to qualified men. The only remaining questions were what the term ‘pastor’ meant and what happens to congregations that demur.

When arguing for the 2000 BF&M, the leaders of the convention specifically argued that the term “pastor” meant something akin to “senior pastor.” As such, a congregation that had women serving as worship pastors or children’s pastors, for example, was not outside the bounds of the BF&M.

A Pastor by Any Other Name

A significant change has occurred here, but it is about nomenclature. If a congregation has a woman children’s pastor, they are no longer in keeping with the BF&M. If, however, they change the title of the children’s pastor to something innocuous like ‘director of children’s programs,’ all is well. In fact, this has already happened. Fielder Church, a multi-campus congregation based in Arlington, TX, was afoul of the BF&M because it had women pastors, but it changed the titles of the women who served on staff from “pastor” to “minister.” Now the congregation is in keeping with the BF&M.

Complying with the BF&M

There are two issues here. The first is obvious. If the woman simply had a title change without a change in job description, then she is still a pastor. Secondly, if the title is that important, then changing to “minister” is hardly a change at all. ‘Pastor’ and ‘minister’ are basically synonymous terms. Yes, “pastor” is in the Bible, but a pastor is usually ordained to the Gospel ministry. Some will make distinctions between the two terms, but they are distinctions without a difference.

Comply!

The big change, though, is not about how the SBC views women pastors. The change is in how the SBC views congregations that differ with the BF&M. For most of its history, the SBC viewed the BF&M as a statement that SBC congregations would generally accept. Some congregations would differ on various points, but on the whole, SBC congregations would profess general agreement. The purpose of the BF&M was not to enforce congregational conformity. It was a shared confession. The larger goal of the BF&M was to ensure that the six seminaries produced pastors in agreement with it.

The goal of the Truth and Unity Amendment is to state that congregations must adhere to the SBC’s view of women in the pastorate, or they can no longer participate. The amendment means that a church that is in “friendly cooperation” with the SBC “ … does not act to affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, specifically preaching to the assembled congregation.” The point is clear. If a woman is in a preaching role, the church cannot remain in the SBC.

Liberal Drift?

While unsurprising, this is rather interesting. Critics within the SBC bemoan the “liberal drift” within the denomination. Some even argue that Albert Mohler is a closet moderate, allowing DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) initiatives within Southern Seminary. Charges of creeping liberalism are rather odd considering that Mohler will allow no women on the theological faculty. The charges of liberal drift are better examples of herd thinking and group anxiety than they are substantive. No, the SBC is quite conservative and will remain so.

More Restrictions?

Another interesting sidelight to the debate is how far supporters of the amendment want to take the restriction on women leading in the SBC. For Mohler, a woman clarifying theology or a sermon on a church podcast is a problem. This position is odd, to say the least. It is one thing to hold that a woman cannot preach to the gathered congregation. It is quite another to hold that a woman cannot speak on theological or biblical issues on a podcast.

Biblical Women Speaking

It would be helpful to note that women in the Bible did speak about biblical/theological issues. Consider Priscilla, who, along with her husband, corrected Apollos’ theology. It is also worth noting that Philip the Evangelist had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. The role of a prophet was, by definition, to speak on behalf of the Lord. The constant refrain of the biblical prophet is, “Thus saith the Lord.”

What Comes Next

The Truth and Unity Amendment has one more hurdle. As a constitutional amendment, it has to pass again at next year’s SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis, which it most likely will. What is unclear is just how much unity the amendment will create. Those who want to remove congregations that affirm women in ministry will now have constitutional authority to do so. Congregations that affirm women in ministry but have maintained a connection with the SBC now have reason to dissolve all remaining ties.

Also by Layne Wallace

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