From where I sit, it seems as though the SBTC has a simple choice – will we hide behind parliamentary integrity or will we stand for biblical fidelity?
Based on what I’ve seen over the last four years, the overwhelming majority of SBTC pastors seem to be in favor of a consistent complementarian position – one that reserves the title and office of elder / pastor / shepherd / overseer to qualified men.
Southern Baptists are searching. In particular, Southern Baptists appear to be searching for an identity – that one thing that will unite us as a cooperating convention of churches.
I used to think bad ecclesiology was something that could be overcome as long as a pastor preached well, pastored well, led well, and kept the engine of the church running. I was wrong.
The issue of female pastors has proved incredibly division within the SBC, and I don’t think the divisiveness is going to get better any time soon.
I’m also not foolish enough to think that bad ecclesiology has nothing to do with the pitiful state of affairs in many of our churches, as well as the division and disunity that exists within our convention.
After almost twenty years of pastoring Southern Baptist churches, I’m convinced that there are serious problems with “single, senior pastor ecclesiology.”
Clearly, the majority of Southern Baptists believe the question about who can rightly be recognized as a pastor is a biblical question rather than a cultural or methodological question.
In all reality, Warren doesn’t want to uphold the shared values of the SBC. He wants to reshape them.
Regular Pastor 