Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting decided decisively to expel First Baptist Church of Alexandria, a longstanding Virginia congregation, due to its belief that women can hold any pastoral position, including senior pastor. Despite ongoing discussions about formally banning churches with women pastors, the majority of voting representatives, known as messengers, supported the church’s removal by a vote of 6,759 to 563.
This isn’t the first time such a situation has arisen. Last year, two other churches, including a prominent California megachurch, faced similar expulsion. This year, 92% of messengers endorsed the decision to oust First Baptist Church of Alexandria.
The church, which has been part of the Southern Baptist Convention since its inception in the 19th century and has contributed significantly to denominational causes, drew scrutiny after a neighboring pastor reported its practice of having a woman pastor for children and women.
Mike Pence speaks at a luncheon (Via Sam Broad/Shutterstock)
The denomination’s credentials committee, responsible for recommending expulsion, highlighted that the church’s stance on women pastors contradicts the Southern Baptist doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith and Message. This foundational document asserts that only men are fit for the role of pastor, although interpretations vary on whether this applies solely to senior pastors or includes all pastoral roles.
Jonathan Sams, chair of the credentials committee, expressed regret over the recommendation but stressed that the church’s beliefs about the pastoral office diverge from those articulated in the convention’s adopted statement of faith.
Currently led by Robert Stephens, a male pastor, First Baptist Church of Alexandria remains committed to its belief that women can serve as senior pastors, a position it has held for over four decades. Despite the expulsion, Stephens affirmed the church’s desire to maintain cooperation with Southern Baptists who may disagree with its stance on this issue.
