The Southern Baptist Convention voted to ban women pastors and prohibit women from preaching on Sunday mornings.
Almost 75% of local church delegates voted in favor of the amendment to the denomination’s rules.
The Southern Baptist Convention is the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
Under its rules, any constitutional change must receive a two-thirds majority vote at two consecutive annual meetings.
A previous effort to approve this ban fell short of the required support.
During the church’s annual meeting, almost 75% voted in favor of the Truth and Unity Amendment.
Reverand Albert Mohler Jr., president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said the ban will keep the SBC from becoming too liberal.
Across Erie, there are many women in ministry, and some even hold the title of pastor.
Pastor Darrell Cook of Second Baptist Church about how he feels about women who lead in the church.
“It is my perspective that, throughout Scripture, God has always elevated the voices of women, and He’s done so in times when it wasn’t culturally acceptable. You go to the Old Testament and see a leader like Deborah. You see Phoebe and Priscilla in the New Testament. So, you see God elevating the voices and the personhood of women.”
Bishop Curtis Jones and Pastor Vickie Jones have led New Life and Spirit Revival Center for over 20 years. They feel it is God who calls you to lead regardless of gender.