Newspring Church in South Carolina has chosen to leave the Southern Baptist Convention in the interest of “preserving unity in the Body of Christ” rather than face further scrutiny about a woman teaching pastor on its staff.
The megachurch with 13 locations across the state was interviewed by the SBC Credentials Committee for its inclusion of Meredith Knox as one of four teaching pastors. The church affirmed that it believes the lead pastor role is biblically reserved for men, in keeping with SBC doctrine. Six men in their organization hold the title “lead pastor,” each with a specialization. Knox is the only woman with the title “teaching pastor.”
The February decision by the Credentials Committee that the church was still in “friendly cooperation” with the denomination was criticized in some quarters of the SBC. Current President Clint Pressley was among those calling for another look at the decision.
“My understanding is that our Credentials Committee deemed a church in friendly cooperation that has a female teaching pastor,” he tweeted in February. “The committee needs to take another look at this one. Our statement of faith is clear about qualifications for a pastor.”
The discussion fueled renewed calls for passage of the Law Amendment to SBC Constitution, to strengthen the language about male-only pastors. A group of seven pastors wrote an open letter describing how the amendment, which failed to get a final super majority vote by messengers meeting in Indianapolis last year, could be brought for another vote on a fast track.
“It is apparent that the Credentials Committee needs the clarification that this Amendment would have provided. For that reason, we are supporting a renewed effort to amend the SBC Constitution,” the letter said.
Pressley and the parliamentarian are prepared to handle a motion to bring the Law Amendment back to the table, SBC Executive Committee CEO Jeff Iorg told the Illinois Baptist in March.
Meanwhile, the church in question has made at least one part of the possible drama in Dallas moot. By withdrawing from association with the denomination, Newspring Church spares itself from another round of interviews and possible vote for dismissal at the convention.
“This decision is driven by a desire for unity and a commitment to Christ’s mission,” church leaders said in a statement at their website. “We believe it will help us focus on what matters most: preaching the gospel and seeing everyone everywhere in an everyday relationship with Jesus.”
–Eric Reed, with reporting by BP and Christian Post