In recent years, there has been a growing trend in some Christian denominations toward the ordination of women as pastors and the trend has been growing in the Southern Baptist Convention as well. However, this trend is not without controversy, and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has made it clear, despite its many, many flaws, that they do not believe that women should be in positions of pastoral leadership.

This is due to the undeniable teaching of Scripture, specifically 1 Timothy 2:12 which states “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” Additionally, 1 Corinthians 14:34 says “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.”

Furthermore, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, which is the SBC’s statement of faith, affirms that “While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.” Despite women preachers and pastors being overlooked in years past even in light of this clear, biblical teaching, the SBC has now decided to take action against churches that ordain women.

Recently, the SBC expelled five churches from their convention because they had women pastors. Linda Barnes Popham, a pastor at one of these expelled churches, Fern Creek Baptist in Louisville, Ky, spoke out against this decision in an interview with NPR. Popham, who has been serving at the church for 40 years, with 30 of those years as a pastor, said that “why now?” was the first thought that came to her mind and the minds of many others when they received the news.

Popham argues, as most leftists, racial instigators, and feminists do, that this decision is not just about Scripture, but about “power” and those in control of the SBC.

“So therefore, it has to be more than that. It has to be something about power, those in control,” she said. Right.

She also mentioned that her congregation was “shocked” by the decision and that they consider themselves to be very Southern Baptist. Again, right.

Barnes Popham also addressed the decision from the pulpit this week, essentially telling her congregation that she will not answer to God, that she will do what she wants despite what God’s word has to say about it.

The decision to expel these churches sends a message that the SBC no longer adheres to the autonomy of the local church and the priesthood of believers. Popham said that the decision shows that “those in power in SBC life do not value churches who are truly doing the work of the gospel.” Interestingly, the work of the gospel, according to Jesus, includes “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20)—something Barnes Popham is not doing.