Resolution on Ordination and the Role of Women in Ministry

1998 SBCV Book of Reports, p. 14

WHEREAS, We, the messengers to the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia meeting in Roanoke, September 29, 1997, recognize the complete authority and inerrancy of Scripture in all matters of faith and practice, including the autonomy of each level of Southern Baptist polity; and

WHEREAS, The community of New Testament churches recognized God's ordination of some believers for special ministries (e.g., I Timothy 2:7; Titus 1:5) and in consequence of their demonstrated loyalty to the gospel, conferred public blessing and engaged in public dedicatory prayer setting them apart for service; and

WHEREAS, The New Testament does not mandate that all who are divinely called to ministry be ordained; and

WHEREAS, The New Testament emphasizes the equal dignity of men and women (Gal. 3:28) and that the Holy Spirit was at Pentecost divinely outpoured on men and women alike (Acts 2:17); and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures attest to God's delegated order of authority (God the head of Christ, Christ the head of man, man the head of woman, man and woman dependent one upon the other to the glory of God) distinguishing the roles of men and women in public prayer and prophecy (I Cor. 11: 2-5); and

WHEREAS, While Paul commends women and men alike in other roles of ministry and service (Titus 2:1-10), he excludes women from pastoral leadership (I Tim, 2:12); and the Scriptures teach that women are not in public worship to assume a role of authority over men lest confusion reign in the local church . (I Cor. 14:33-35); and

WHEREAS, These Scriptures are not intended to stifle the creative contribution of men and women as co-workers in many roles of church service, on both distant and domestic ministry fields, but clearly demonstrate that men and women are nonetheless divinely gifted for distinctive areas of evangelical engagement; and

WHEREAS, Women are to be held in high honor for their unique and significant contributions to the advancement of Christ's kingdom, and the building of godly homes should be esteemed for its vital contribution to developing personal Christian character and Christlike concern for others;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, We must not decide concerns of Christian doctrine and practice by current cultural, sociological, and ecclesiastic cal trends or emotion; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, We remind ourselves of and endeavor always to observe the dearly bought Baptist principle of the final authority of Scripture in matters of faith and conduct; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT, While we encourage the service of women in all aspects of church life and work other than pastoral functions and leadership roles entailing ordination, we hold that it is unscriptural for women to serve as pastors or deacons.

Adopted September 29, 1997