The Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845 by pro-slavery Baptists in the south who believed it was moral for missionaries to own slaves. That statement from the seminary presidents – who are all white – drew heavy criticism from several Black Southern Baptist leaders. In May, another prominent figure in the denomination, Bible teacher Beth Moore, announced that she no longer considered herself Southern Baptist. This position was recently challenged by one of the largest SBC churches, California’s Saddleback Church, which ordained three women as staff pastors in May. Photograph: Ross D Franklin/APMohler, Stone and Litton all agree that the ordination of female pastors contradicts core Southern Baptist doctrine.

Source: The Guardian June 15, 2021 06:11 UTC