Dallas | A motion to amend the SBC Constitution to clarify the language about male-only pastors failed to receive a required two-thirds majority approval messengers at the Annual Meeting in Dallas June 11.
The amendment needed a two-thirds super-majority to pass which it failed to receive.
The vote by ballot was 3,421 (60.74%) in favor, and 2,191 (38.90%) against, failing to reach the two-thirds majority by about the same percentage as 2024
The vote came after the Law Amendment, which failed in its second reading last year was brought back to the floor on Tuesday. Its resurrection was ruled in order, and the Committee on the Order of Business scheduled it for the last session of the convention.
The Amendment, now carrying the name Sanchez/Law Amendment sought to make the wording of the SBC Constitution article 6 match the wording of the Baptist Faith and Message, which was amended last year.
Austin, Texas pastor Juan Sanchez spoke on behalf of the amendment, saying it would provide needed clarity for the Credentials Committee, which has responsibility to determine whether churches are in friendly cooperation with the SBC, or in violation. In this case, the violation would be to allow women to hold the title pastor that are reserved for men in preaching and pastoral leadership.
“This is the time to clarify what we believe,” Sanchez said. “We are not a people who are governed by attorneys. We are people who are ruled by a book.”
Executive Committee President and CEO Jeff Iorg spoke against the amendment, as he did last year. Iorg said it would give attorneys additional fodder for lawsuits if the language about pastoral qualification were moved to the Constitution. “There is no real doctrinal division here,” Iorg countered, as the Baptist Faith and Message has made the position clear.
“Removing this standard from theologians and pastors and giving it to attorneys and insurance companies” would be the outcome of approval, Iorg explained, and subject future credentials committees to additional lawsuits.
In about 15 minutes of floor discussion, messengers mostly debate the legal merits of the amendment rather than theological position over women in ministry. Missouri messenger James Goforth described the action as overreach, calling it “a bridge too far.”
A two-thirds supermajority was required for approval, with a second reading to be scheduled next year. Now, that will not happen, unless there is a third attempt to present a constitutional amendment.