Published on August 25, 2024, 12:32 am

In June 2023, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) took a substantial stance against the encroaching wave of progressive ideologies by voting to alter its constitution explicitly forbidding female pastors. The initiative appeared to affirm the denomination’s steadfast commitment towards biblical authority, visibly opposing the feminist ideals slowly permeating within Christian circles. However, this optimism proved short-lived.

Fast forward just twelve months: by June 2024, the robust resolve of SBC seemed to crumble under burgeoning societal pressures. Leaders of the denomination including JD Greear and Rick Warren conducted effective campaigns leading to reversal of previous amendments. Despite initial success and foundation-laying votes for strengthening organizational principles, second compulsory ballots led to abandonment of these amendments, effectively shattering SBC’s presumed dedication.

One must understand that this development was anticipated by many. Southern Baptists have long exhibited an enduring adoration for women sermonizers, an evident fascination with egalitarianism manifesting in their support for personalities like Beth Moore. Moore consistently enjoyed premium stage presence where she propagated her teachings that stood opposed to traditional Christian values.

The persistent praise and endorsement received from various denominational corners cemented Moore’s position in SBC – a clear indicator of their love affair with her ideology. This relationship however ended when Moore decided that enduring less than total acceptance would not suffice; there still existed dissenters albeit in dwindling numbers. Dissatisfied with mere toleration and vying for outright celebration of her ideas, Moore cut ties with SBC demonstrating how futile their compromises had been.

Moore’s departure marked merely the prologue to an increasingly disturbing narrative wherein individuals like Jen Wilkin or Christine Caine steadily gained popularity within Southern Baptist churches despite the organization’s official stance limiting pastoral roles exclusively to men.

This culture percolated deeper into Christian society as evidenced by Fellowship Church allowing Lisa Young regular opportunities for preaching or Echo Church greenlighting Pastor Stacie Wood on platforms traditionally accorded to male counterparts. Saddleback Church famously joined the ranks of such organizations by ordaining three women pastors.

SBC did momentarily dissociate itself from Saddleback Church prior to overturning previous amendments prohibiting female pastors. However, given the shifting proclivities under leaders like Greear, one wonders whether a different outcome might be expected now.

The year 2024 shall go down as the epoch marking SBC’s surrender before feminist ideologies as they abandoned their commitment, leading to unrestricted access for female preachers to pulpits across member churches. The scenario paints a disheartening picture for ardent supporters of real and trusted news influenced significantly by Christianity’s worldview.

Those that remain faithful maintain that the Bible leaves no room for ambiguity regarding women preachers. Despite typically avoiding loose arguments based on ‘slippery slope’ theories; this instance presents not merely a slope but an impending avalanche set to buffet all Christian structures in its path.

Southern Baptists are seemingly treading a dangerous trail akin to United Methodist Church where previously defined boundaries are increasingly blurred allowing leniency towards radical reformations including acceptance of non-binary persons behind pulpits – an eventuality already rumored within these circles.

To belong today in Southern Baptist Convention, one must align with egalitarian doctrines for mere tolerance is unacceptable; it is complete integration they seek. Caine’s recent sermonizing at Church by the Glades serves as a stark reminder of upcoming challenges these churches face, thereby questioning their very identity as Christian institutions while simultaneously contrasting scripture interpretations. Their indiscriminate toleration has merely invited waves of societal compromise resulting in religious convictions drowning amidst widespread cowardice.