A perspective on the proposed SBC amendment regarding women in pastoral ministry

Body

“If the issue is the title, then churches with women called ‘pastors’ can come into compliance by simply changing their title… If the issue is function, then the SBC Credentials Committee must investigate job descriptions, church governing documents, work records and personnel policies of local churches to determine if a woman is functioning as a pastor.” - (link is external)

Discussion

Southern Baptist baptisms and attendance grow, membership decline slows

Body

“Membership declined for the 17th straight year… the less than 2 percent decline was the smallest in recent years. Additionally, Southern Baptist-affiliated congregations experienced increases in baptisms, average weekly worship attendance and average small group attendance.” - Baptist Press(link is external)

Discussion

SBC’s Cooperation Group releases recommendations

Body

“Four recommendations released today are designed to ‘prioritize and emphasize the authority of messengers in defining the boundaries of our cooperation while clarifying and refining our structure,’ said a statement from the SBC’s Cooperation Group.” - Baptist Press(link is external)

Discussion

Pastor Jack Graham endorses David Allen for SBC president

Body

“other individuals expected to be nominated for SBC president include: Clint Pressley, the lead pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina; Mike Keahbone, the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Lawton, Oklahoma; and Jared Moore, pastor of Cumberland Homesteads Baptist Church in Crossville, Tennessee.” - CPost(link is external)

Discussion

Southern Baptists Lost More Than 1,200 Congregations in 2022

Body

“According to Lifeway Research’s analysis of the 2022 Annual Church Profile of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1,253 congregations that were part of the Convention in 2021 were no longer connected in 2022.” - Lifeway(link is external)

Discussion