When Southern Baptists convene for their annual meeting beginning Tuesday in Orlando, Florida, a central issue on the agenda remains the denomination’s long-running debate over the role of women in pastoral positions. For the fourth consecutive year, representatives are poised to consider a constitutional amendment that would definitively bar churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) from having women serve in any role comparable to that of a pastor, not solely the senior pastoral position.

The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant body in the United States, has seen more than 11,000 church representatives preregister for the two-day gathering. The proposed amendment, introduced by Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, seeks to exclude any church “affirming, appointing, or endorsing” a woman who serves in the office or function of a pastor, elder, or overseer—particularly when it involves preaching to the congregation. Mohler has expressed frustration with the recurring debate, emphasizing that clear constitutional language would bring resolution.

This issue reflects an ongoing constitutional dilemma within the SBC. While the denomination’s doctrinal statement, the Baptist Faith and Message, restricts the office of pastor to men, this guideline is nonbinding on individual churches. However, the SBC holds authority to expel congregations that deviate from cooperative standards, a move it has taken against churches appointing women as senior pastors. The current discussions revolve around further clarifying the status of women serving in subordinate pastoral roles.

Outgoing SBC president Clint Pressley supports the amendment, as do the candidates vying to succeed him. In addition to the constitutional amendment, attendees will consider a nonbinding resolution with similar language, requiring only a simple majority to pass.

The issue has ignited debate within and beyond Southern Baptist circles. Prominent voices like Beth Moore, a former SBC member and Bible teacher, have challenged the premise that women should be barred from preaching roles, questioning the alignment of such restrictions with scripture. Amy Sims, an associate pastor at Sugarland Baptist Church in Texas, highlighted the contrast between her active ministry involving preaching, teaching, and pastoral care, and the annual pushback against women’s participation in pastoral functions within the denomination.

Beyond theological concerns, the Southern Baptist annual meeting serves as a gauge for broader political and religious trends, especially within the conservative evangelical movement. The SBC has experienced a steady decline in membership over nearly two decades, now down to approximately 12.3 million—the lowest since 1973. Despite this, the denomination has reported a modest increase in baptisms, which it views as an indicator of spiritual vitality.

Other resolutions expected at the meeting address contemporary issues, including calls for humane treatment of immigrants coupled with support for governmental immigration enforcement, and a denunciation of anti-Semitic violence and conspiracy theories. The latter also reaffirms Southern Baptists’ commitment to evangelizing Jewish communities, a stance that has drawn criticism in the past for its impact on interfaith relations.

Politically, the Southern Baptist Convention remains closely aligned with conservative causes and figures, particularly former President Donald Trump. Many SBC leaders praise Trump’s policies on gender and religious liberty, though some have expressed disappointment with specific actions, such as a controversial meme he posted in April that depicted himself in a religiously symbolic way, which drew swift condemnation from evangelicals.

Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas and a vocal Trump supporter, lauded the president’s decision to remove the meme and highlighted Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission efforts and his stance on Iran. Mohler echoed support for military action under defined justifications but urged caution grounded in prior experiences with prolonged conflicts.

As the Southern Baptist Convention grapples with internal divisions over gender roles and navigates its political affiliations, this year’s annual meeting will offer insight into the denomination’s direction amid ongoing cultural and demographic shifts.