October 1, 2026
ORLANDO, Fla. — Southern Baptist messengers meeting in Orlando this June will consider a proposed resolution affirming that the office and function of pastor, elder, and overseer are limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
The proposed resolution, titled “On the Office and Function of Pastor/Elder/Overseer,” is part of the slate released by the Resolutions Committee appointed by SBC President Clint Pressley. It comes as Southern Baptists continue to discuss how cooperating churches should understand pastoral titles, preaching responsibilities, and the relationship between the Baptist Faith and Message and the SBC Constitution.
The resolution states that Scripture uses the terms pastor, elder, and overseer to refer to “the same biblical office,” and affirms that the office of pastor, elder, and overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. It also says, “the New Testament presents the pastoral office and the function of pastoral oversight as inseparably connected.”
The resolution also expresses gratitude for “the indispensable service, discipleship, evangelism, missions work, and ministry contributions” of women throughout Southern Baptist life. It urges churches to maintain clarity and integrity in ministerial titles and practices so that terminology does not obscure or contradict the Convention’s doctrinal commitments.
The issue has been repeatedly debated in recent annual meetings, particularly after efforts to amend the SBC Constitution through what became known as the Law Amendment. That amendment, which sought to clarify that cooperating churches should affirm, appoint, or employ only men as pastors or elders as qualified by Scripture, received the required two-thirds support in New Orleans in 2023 but failed to reach that threshold the following year in Indianapolis.
Another effort in 2025 came after messengers voted to suspend Standing Rule 6, which normally requires motions to amend the SBC’s governing documents to be referred first to the Executive Committee for review and reported back to the following convention. Suspending the rule allowed messengers to vote on the amendment that same year, but it again failed to receive the necessary two-thirds support.
The resolution comes alongside another expected effort to address the issue constitutionally.
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Albert Mohler announced last month that he plans to propose an amendment to Article III of the SBC Constitution intended to clarify how cooperating Southern Baptist churches should understand women serving in the office or function of pastor, elder, or overseer.
Mohler said cooperating churches would 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.”
He also announced his intention to move that Standing Rule 6 be suspended so the Committee on Order of Business could schedule discussion of the motion at this year’s meeting.
Standing Rule 6 states that motions to amend the SBC’s governing documents are automatically referred to the Executive Committee and reported back to the next annual meeting. Suspending the rule would allow messengers to consider the proposal sooner.
“I believe the need for this is made abundantly clear,” Mohler said. “Frankly, that need has been building in recent years, and the Southern Baptist Convention has always risen to the occasion and met the need of this kind of challenge with a statement of conviction.”
Mohler compared the proposed amendment to previous constitutional language addressing churches that affirm LGBTQ lifestyles and activities, saying that earlier action clarified the Convention’s convictions and strengthened unity.
“That’s exactly what we need on the issue of the office of pastor,” Mohler said.
Both announced SBC presidential candidates have voiced support for Mohler’s proposal.
South Carolina pastor Josh Powell wrote on X that Southern Baptists have been clear that “the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”
“I have supported & continued to support any effort to make our Constitution equally clear,” Powell wrote.
Florida pastor Willy Rice also expressed support for Mohler’s proposal while continuing to call for a task force to study the issue and bring recommendations. Rice said Southern Baptists should affirm both the biblical qualifications for the office of pastor, elder, and overseer and the work of women in vocational ministry in ways consistent with that understanding.
Rice also noted the higher threshold required for a constitutional amendment, which must receive a two-thirds affirmative vote in two consecutive years. A task force would require only a majority vote.
The proposed resolution does not amend the Constitution. Resolutions are nonbinding statements that express the opinion of messengers gathered at the annual meeting. Messengers may adopt, amend, reject, or refer resolutions during the meeting.
Still, the resolution’s language may provide messengers another opportunity to express the Convention’s convictions on pastoral office, while Mohler’s proposed amendment, if brought to the floor, would seek to place similar clarity in the SBC’s governing documents.
The SBC Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 9-10 in Orlando.
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