I was unable to get Tuesday’s Thoughts in 300 out this week due to a heavy ministry schedule. Therefore, I thought I’d take a moment to write a few thoughts about the Southern Baptist Convention 2026. For the first time in a few years, I was unable to attend the annual convention. However, it seems to be by the providence of God that I was still in Salina this week.

              Let me begin with a few highlights. My favorite reports are always from our mission agencies. The International Mission Board commissioned 63 new missionaries to go alongside the over 3,500 current missionaries taking the gospel to the four corners of the earth. The North American Mission Board reported 699 new church plants and 93 replants. Send Relief reported that more than 60,000 people were mobilized for outreach. 2.5 million people served, creating 816,000 gospel conversations. No matter what you have heard, the Southern Baptist Convention is still a gospel-centered and missionary force for the Kingdom of God.

              Willy Rice is our newly elected president. He is a pastor from Florida. He wasn’t my first choice, but I’ve learned to allow the process to work itself out, and Rice will be well prayed for and supported by me.

              The big news came in the Truth and Unity Amendment, also known as the Mohler Amendment. It passed with a resounding 76.66 % of the vote. The convention has worked for a few years to clarify what we mean by the office and function of the pastor. The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states, “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. For as long as I can remember, the office of pastor has been limited to men.

              I think Scripture is clear on a couple of things. First, women are incredibly needed, useful, and gifted in the service of the church. One need only read Paul’s Letter to the Romans, chapter 16, to see the invaluable role women played in the early church. There can be no doubt that the finished work of Jesus opened up avenues of ministry to women that had not previously been open to them. Women have always been a part of God’s work. Consider, for instance, Miriam, Deborah, Esther, Huldah, Anna, Lydia, Priscilla, Phoebe, and don’t forget about Philip’s four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9). There is a litany of names of strong and courageous women whom God used.

              Nonetheless, I believe the office of the Pastor is limited to men as prescribed in Scripture. Dr. Albert put forth an amendment to the constitution stating that Southern Baptist Churches “does not 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’ve been at the convention for multiple years and believe we have struggled to find the right language to bring clarity to this topic. I was not impressed with Mohler’s first attempt and would not have supported the amendment. I thought the phrase “such as” was still weak and needed clarification.

              However, a few days later, he put forward the following wording: “does not act of affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman in serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, specifically preaching to the assembled congregation.” It’s not perfect. I still wrestle and worry about how the word “function” could be abused. In some ways, all Christians function in the role of shepherd. However, the change to “specifically preaching” was a particularly good addition. If I had been in attendance, I would have voted to affirm this position. It still allows for the church’s autonomy and limits the function of preaching to the assembled congregation. This is the amendment that passed with 76% approval. Another vote will be taken in Indianapolis in 2027.

              After the vote, Dr. Mohler gave an interview to the Baptist Press[1]. He says, “I do not think this applies to any setting other than the setting of the church….This specifies one [central} function – preaching to the gathered assembly.” I do think this is a good and clarifying move by the convention. It still offers a range of ministry opportunities for women, which I strongly support.

              Furthermore, I was especially pleased to read the resolution “On the Office and Function of Pastor/Elder/Overseer.”[2] I thought that alone brought a lot of clarity to the topic and is a good addition to our convention. The resolution also addressed the need for local churches to speak clearly about the titles they use for women in ministry.

              At FSBC, women will always be valued as integral parts of the mission of taking the Gospel from our corner to every corner for the glory of God and the good of others. There will be women involved in worship, teaching, ministry teams, committees, and they will serve as missionaries. The pulpit of FSBC will be filled by men who are qualified by Scripture. The office of the pastor/elder will be limited to men[3].  I’m excited for the future of the SBC. I will look forward to attending next year in Indianapolis.

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[1] In press conference, Mohler gets specific on his amendment’s purpose | Baptist Press

[2] 2026-Proposed-Resolutions.pdf (23-24).