Southern Baptist Convention Considers Ban on Women Pastors

The Southern Baptist Convention has expelled five churches this year over their appointment of women as pastors, and ultraconservatives are moving to amend the S.B.C. constitution to further restrict the role of women in leadership. The denomination has historically allowed individual churches to lead as they like, but some evangelicals fear a liberal drift in their congregations and a departure from Scripture. The changes to the constitution would not take effect until next year at the earliest, and the delegates are expected to hold a vote on Wednesday.