NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) - The national Woman's Missionary Union and Virginia WMU are autonomous organizations, national WMU Executive Director Wanda Lee said in a statement regarding a "Declaration of the Dignity of Women" adopted by Virginia WMU in September.

The Virginia WMU declaration alleges discrimination "against women in the work of Christian ministry" and takes particular aim at the Southern Baptist Convention's Faith and Message 2000 statement of beliefs. The BF&M, which cites numerous Bible passages in various areas of belief, notes that the office of pastor should be held by men.

Lee did not voice a reaction to the assertions made in the Virginia WMU declaration.

Virginia WMU, in its 484-word declaration, states in part, "Our declaration is that women are leaders in the church, called by God, commissioned by Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, with a strong, noble heritage."

NAMB, in a statement to Baptist Press, said it "still strongly affirms women in a myriad of roles in the church and denomination, including the 2,500-plus who serve as NAMB missionaries and the 200 women who serve as SBC-endorsed chaplains. However, NAMB no longer endorses women to chaplaincy roles that call for a 'fully qualified member of the clergy or that have a role or function similar to that of a pastor.'"