At the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) meeting in Orlando in June 2026, SBTS President Albert Mohler intends to introduce a motion to amend the SBC Constitution. The proposed amendment strictly defines the office of pastor as male, stating that cooperating churches cannot “affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer.”
While previous attempts to pass similar restrictions (such as the Law Amendment) narrowly failed despite strong conservative backing, Mohler’s prominent leadership is expected to give this new motion the momentum needed to pass. If enacted, any SBC church employing or appointing women as pastors in any capacity would face expulsion from the convention.
The Proposed Motion Text
“I move that the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in June 2026 amend the Constitution of the SBC to add an enumerated 6th item, under Article 3, Paragraph 1, defining composition. This new language would make clear that a cooperating Southern Baptist church:
‘6. 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.”
