SBC Executive Committee leader opposes Law Amendment on women pastors
Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee and former president of Gateway Seminary, recently expressed opposition in Baptist Press to a proposed Law Amendment related to women in pastoral ministry. The amendment affirms that cooperating SBC churches will appoint only men as pastors or elders, based on their interpretation of Scripture.
The Law Amendment, if adopted, would state that a cooperating Southern Baptist church “affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.”
Iorg writes in an opinion piece for Baptist Press, “For the past 20 years, I upheld this standard as a seminary president committed to teaching in accordance with and not contrary to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. While I have advocated for women in other roles, my consistent belief and practice for 40 years has been to limit pastoral leadership in local churches to men. Despite the fact the proposed amendment reflects my beliefs and practices, my concerns about the following implications and consequences of its adoption lead me to oppose it.”
According to Iorg, concerns include 1) whether the amendment applies to the title or function of a pastor, 2) the historical importance of the autonomy of local churches, 3) legal concerns, 4) Convention processes and procedures, 5) past precedent set by the Convention, 6) doctrinal fidelity, 7) doctrinal conformity, 8) pastor disengagement over an issue they do not perceive as “worth the battle,” and 9) the potential impact of this decision and the tone of the debate on women across our denomination. Read Iorg’s entire article.
Complementarianism vs. Egalitarianism
The essence of the debate is between those in the SBC with differing views of “complementarianism” vs. “egalitarianism.”
Complementarianism is a perspective that asserts that men and women have equal value but distinct roles in both the family and the church. Proponents argue that Scripture supports male leadership in pastoral roles, citing passages like 1 Timothy 2:12 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. These verses are often interpreted as restricting women from teaching or exercising authority over men in the church context.
Egalitarians believe that men and women can serve equally in all ministry roles, including pastoral leadership. They point to examples of women leaders in the New Testament, such as Phoebe (Romans 16:1) and Junia (Romans 16:7). Their argument emphasizes cultural context and the overall trajectory of Scripture, supporting a more inclusive approach.
Implications and Discussion
The proposed amendment has significant implications for the SBC’s future. If approved, it would reinforce the denomination’s complementarian stance that churches adhering to this view would continue to appoint only male pastors and elders. However, some express concern that this rigid position could hinder the SBC’s ability to engage with a changing culture and effectively reach diverse communities. Iorg encourages Southern Baptists to engage in thoughtful dialogue, recognizing that faithful believers hold varying convictions.
As messengers gather for the annual meeting in Indianapolis next month, they face a significant decision that could shape the denomination’s future. The proposed amendment reflects deeper theological and cultural tensions within the SBC, prompting Southern Baptists to consider how they interpret Scripture, the role of tradition, and the evolving needs of their congregations.
Related:
FIRST-PERSON: A perspective on the proposed SBC amendment regarding women in pastoral ministry