5 questions about the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting

1. What is the main issue Southern Baptists are voting on this year?

For the fourth consecutive year, the Southern Baptist Convention will vote on whether to formally ban member churches that have women serving in any pastoral role — not just as senior pastor. This year’s proposed amendment, put forward by seminary President Albert Mohler, would specifically exclude churches that allow women to preach to a congregation, and requires a two-thirds supermajority in two consecutive annual meetings to become part of the SBC constitution.

2. Why hasn’t the ban passed yet, despite majority support?

While a majority of church representatives have voted in favor of the amendment in each of the past three meetings, it has twice failed to reach the two-thirds supermajority required to amend the SBC constitution. A separate, nonbinding resolution with similar language will also be considered this year, which requires only a simple majority to pass.

3. Who are the key voices in this debate?

Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, is the primary sponsor of this year’s amendment and argues that constitutional clarity would end the prolonged debate. Critics include Black pastor Dwight McKissic, who argues the SBC has historically been wrong on major moral issues, and Bible teacher Beth Moore, who left the SBC after facing backlash for criticizing evangelical support for President Trump and advocating for abuse survivors.

4. What is the broader state of the Southern Baptist Convention right now?

Membership has fallen to 12.3 million — the lowest since 1973 — continuing a decline that has stretched nearly two decades, though the denomination has seen a recent uptick in baptisms. The annual meeting also comes as Southern Baptists will consider resolutions on immigration, antisemitism, and other policy matters.

5. How does this meeting reflect Southern Baptists’ relationship with Trump?

The SBC remains a cornerstone of white evangelical political support for Trump, who won roughly 80% of White evangelical votes in both 2020 and 2024. While prominent Baptist leaders broadly back Trump’s policies on gender and his administration’s military action against Iran, they expressed widespread disapproval of a social media post in April that depicted Trump as a healing savior — though that criticism has not meaningfully eroded their overall support for him.

For more on this report, read “Four years running, Southern Baptists weigh tightening ban on churches with women pastors” from The Associated Press, published on The Washington Times.