221-year-old SBC congregation faces expulsion for having a woman as pastor to children and women
The First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Va., a long-standing Southern Baptist congregation, is facing expulsion due to having a woman pastor, which has become a point of contention with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), The Washington Times reports.
Kim Eskridge, the church’s pastor for children and women, has held her position for nearly 20 years. Still, the Convention has recently intensified its enforcement of the ban on female pastors, causing conflict and challenges for churches like First Baptist.
In a letter to the SBC’s Credentials Committee, the church requested respect for the principle of autonomy, emphasizing that each church should have the freedom to determine its leadership, bylaws, and partnerships, as it raises concerns over the Convention's actions against congregations with female pastors.
“For 179 years, First Baptist Church and the Southern Baptist Convention have been faithful partners in ministry,” the church wrote on May 6. “While we understand the Convention’s desire to ensure faithfulness, we also ask that the Convention respect the long-standing principle of autonomy that allows each church to determine its leadership, bylaws, statement of faith, and with whom to partner.”
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