There was a furor in 2021 when Saddleback Church, the second largest SBC Church in the USA, ordained three women pastors. This led to debates about the office vs. function of pastor, should women do seminary degrees in pastoral ministry, can women pastor other women, if so, can you call them “pastors.” Plus debates over the spectrum of complementarianism and calls for Saddleback to be disfellowshipped from the SBC. In fact, at the 2022 SBC convention in Anaheim, former Saddleback senior pastor Rick Warren, addressed the convention, “Are we going to keep bickering over secondary issues,” Warren asked, “or are we going to keep the main thing the main thing?”
Hi Mr. Bird - thanks for the Australian insight. Always good to get a perspective that's not American.
I grew up SB, was ordained in the SBC in 1997, and eventually left the SBC in 2002 (just for some background). I loathe the positions of the SBC (complementarianism, women in ministry, systematic racism, etc - we all know the issues). That being said, Saddleback KNEW they had a fight coming . . . and they have known for years (and so did anyone watching it all unfold). Saddleback knew what they were getting into. Frankly, it looks like they picked a fight. They should have bowed out gracefully years ago, but for some reason did not. I kinda feel like Saddleback is as much to blame over the fallout as the SBC is.
This is spot on. Thank you. And this is from an SBC pastor.
Hi Brad, glad you appreciated it. Wasn't trying to be too judgmental, just wondering if there are better courses of action.
You were very kind. I appreciate your spirit and thoughtfulness. As well as the fact that you don’t yourself too seriously.
If only SBC were as concerned about abuse (sexual and other) as it is about this issue...
Hi Mr. Bird - thanks for the Australian insight. Always good to get a perspective that's not American.
I grew up SB, was ordained in the SBC in 1997, and eventually left the SBC in 2002 (just for some background). I loathe the positions of the SBC (complementarianism, women in ministry, systematic racism, etc - we all know the issues). That being said, Saddleback KNEW they had a fight coming . . . and they have known for years (and so did anyone watching it all unfold). Saddleback knew what they were getting into. Frankly, it looks like they picked a fight. They should have bowed out gracefully years ago, but for some reason did not. I kinda feel like Saddleback is as much to blame over the fallout as the SBC is.