Al Mohler to propose an amendment to SBC constitution to confirm ban on female pastors
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler Jr. plans to solidify the Southern Baptist Convention’s ban on female pastors in member churches.
In a video posted on YouTube, Mohler announced Monday that he will propose a motion to amend the SBC constitution at the Annual Meeting next month in Orlando, Florida.
The proposed motion will call on SBC messengers “to add an enumerated sixth item, under Article 3, Paragraph 1” of the constitution that says that “a cooperating Southern Baptist church … Does not act to affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, such as preaching to the assembled congregation.”
“I move the suspension of standing rule 6 so that the Committee on the Order of Business may schedule this motion for debate and consideration at this 2026 annual session,” the proposed motion concludes.
In his video statement, Mohler said “the need for this is made abundantly clear,” especially “in recent years,” and that the proposal should curb divisive debate.
As an example, Mohler said, “A generation ago, the SBC took this kind of action in the constitution by making very clear that our cooperation is not extended to those who would endorse or affirm LGBTQ lifestyles and activities.”
“That has clarified the SBC's conviction. It has created even deeper unity in the truth. And that kind of language in the constitution has served the SBC very, very well,” Mohler explained.
“One of the greatest testimonies to that is that this is not an issue of open debate at the SBC year-by-year, and it hasn't been for a generation. That's exactly what we need on the issue of the office of pastor.”
Both confirmed nominees for SBC president have expressed their support for the proposed amendment.
Affirming his support for the motion, South Carolina Pastor Josh Powell retweeted Mohler’s statement, “Southern Baptists have been clear: ‘the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.’”
“I have supported & continue to support any effort to make our Constitution equally clear. Our aim should be to honor our Baptist identity & cooperative mission,” he added.
Florida Pastor Willy Rice posted a video on his X account conveying his support for the proposal, saying he was “encouraged today to hear of the renewed effort to amend” the SBC's constitution.
“My own position has been clear and consistent,” Rice stated. “I support an amendment to our constitution even as I have called for the upcoming convention to give the new president the power to appoint a task force to address the issue.”
“I believe both steps are necessary,” Rice added.
Last year, a similar amendment to the SBC's constitution was defeated at the Annual Meeting in Dallas, Texas. Although the motion received 3,421 votes in favor, which constituted 60.74% of the ballots cast, it failed to get the necessary minimum two-thirds majority.
Proposed by Juan Sanchez of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, the 2025 motion sought to add a sixth item to Article 3, Paragraph 1 that would require churches to have "only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture."
Pastor James Goforth of First Baptist Church of Ferguson, Missouri, spoke against the motion last year, noting that Southern Baptists "believe in the autonomy of local churches," thus "allowing us to have some differences of practice while still cooperating together for the Great Commission."
While he was opposed to churches having female senior pastors, Goforth believed the motion would force the SBC "to headhunt a bridge too far" and distract the convention from fighting "the real enemy."
