Black churches with women pastors face the risk of being expelled from the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is facing controversy over its expulsion of churches featuring women pastors. To address the issue, Pastor Gregory Perkins of The View Church in Southern California wrote to President Bart Barber of the SBC, asking to meet. In his letter, Perkins informed the denomination that this divide on titling women leaders of the congregation as pastor would “disproportionately impact” their affiliated churches and violate the autonomy of local churches, a pillar of Baptist values.

At the latest voting meeting, the messengers of the SBC affirmed an amendment that would prohibit churches from being a part of the association if they upheld women with the pastoral title. Pastor Perkins was not in favor of the vote and, on behalf of the National African American Fellowship (NAAF), published a letter stating that the ruling alienates thousands of churches and the women who they believe are deserving of these roles. He further noted that this could signal to churches in the SBC who do not believe that women should be the senior pastor but still allow them the usage of a pastoral title that they are no longer welcome.

The NAAF is encouraging all members to engage thoroughly in the conversation and decision-making process. To be respectful of differing perspectives, the NAAF wants to make sure everyone understands the potential backlash from the new rule and how it may negatively impact their individual congregations through membership and controversy. Pastor Perkins is against the expulsion of the churches, claiming it “dishonors the spirit of cooperation” that is ingrained in the Southern Baptist Convention.

President Bart Barber of the SBC has received the letter, but no further response has been issued by their executive committee. This internal contention of the SBC is not a one-off occurrence, as members have voluntarily left the domination over social issues before. As the SBC grapples with its decision, other religions are also dealing with their own gender-discriminatory issues.

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