The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has taken a significant step toward formally codifying its position on pastoral leadership after messengers overwhelmingly approved the first vote on a constitutional amendment affirming that the office of pastor is reserved for qualified men.
The proposal, known as the "Truth and Unity Amendment," was introduced by Albert Mohler during the SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. Mohler argued that while the SBC's 2000 Baptist Faith & Message already states that the office of pastor is limited to men, the denomination now needs constitutional clarity regarding church cooperation and pastoral roles.
Addressing more than 11,000 registered messengers, Mohler said the amendment would provide a clear standard for churches seeking to remain in friendly cooperation with the SBC. He described the measure as consistent with historic Baptist convictions and rooted in Scripture.
"There's a great line that divides liberal and biblical evangelicalism, and you can see it on this very issue," Mohler told messengers. He urged delegates not to amend the language, saying it had been carefully crafted to reflect historic Baptist teaching dating back to the seventeenth century.
The amendment states that churches in friendly cooperation with the SBC must not recognize anyone other than a man as holding the office of pastor. It also specifies that the central function of preaching God's Word to the gathered church is reserved for qualified men according to Scripture.
Mohler distinguished between the office of pastor and pastoral functions, explaining that the amendment addresses both. Regarding the office, he said the language is comprehensive, while the functional language specifically focuses on preaching to the gathered congregation.
Following brief debate, messengers approved moving the amendment forward. A written ballot later showed strong support for the measure.
Registration Secretary Don Currence reported that of 8,074 ballots cast, 6,028 votes (76.66%) supported the amendment, while 2,026 votes (25.09%) opposed it. Twenty ballots were disallowed.
Because amendments to the SBC Constitution require approval by a two-thirds majority at two consecutive annual meetings, the measure must receive a second affirmative vote at the 2027 SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis before it becomes part of the denomination's governing documents.
The vote marks another chapter in the SBC's ongoing debate over women serving in pastoral roles. In recent years, the denomination has removed several churches from friendly cooperation because they employed women in positions identified as pastor, even while many Southern Baptists have continued to debate how broadly the title and functions of pastor should be defined.
If approved again next year, the amendment would provide constitutional language clarifying the SBC's long-standing complementarian position regarding pastoral leadership and preaching within cooperating churches.
