Why did the Southern Baptists kick out churches with female preachers?
Let’s study a puzzling move
This week the Southern Baptist Convention kicked out churches with female preachers — a historic move, and one that might not make much sense.
Most Evangelical Christians support female pastors. Until very recently it didn’t seem all that controversial. Then, suddenly, it was?—when membership of Southern Baptist churches is in steep decline.
What was the logic? I had to go find out.
The Southern Baptist Convention saw huge growth in the post-War years.
Since the early 2000s, however, it’s been losing about a half-million members every year. Coming back into dominance doesn’t seem to be in the cards, however. The SBC is viewed favorably by just 27% of the American population.
Plus, their membership is old, with 60% being age 55 or older.
Really, the denomination is getting ready for its funeral.
In this light, I realized, kicking out women pastors made total sense. The appeal of Southern Baptist churches is very traditional sexual hierarchy that celebrates men.
