It's Friday, June the 16th, 2023, and this is the Daily Article Podcast. I'm Chris Elkins

with the Denison Forum, narrating today's article written by Dr. Ryan Dennison.

When Southern Baptists met in New Orleans this week for their annual convention, a number of

important issues were on the docket, including updating the

convention's progress on the sexual abuse scandals that were the focus of last year's meeting

and discussing budget problems after coming in nearly $7 million in the red last year.

However, their primary focus was rendering a verdict on whether Saddleback Church, a mega-church in California,

started by Rick Warren, should be able to remain affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

The convention decided to disfellowship the church back in February because it had ordained three

women as pastors in 2021 and assigned pastoral titles to all women in pastoral roles last

December. However, the SBC's bylaws gave Saddleback and five other churches who received a similar

judgment the opportunity to appeal the decision at the National Convention. And while more than

88% of those who came representing their home

churches voted to uphold that judgment, it's unlikely that the matter is settled for good.

After all, as Rick Warren said in his final remarks, there are 1,928 churches within the convention

that have women on pastoral staff. Moreover, many among the 11.36% that

voted to keep Saddleback in the SBC, the equivalent of roughly 5,600 churches, are likely

less than thrilled with the results as well. But why was the topic of women and the role

of pastor such a big issue?

And why is this discussion relevant to you, regardless of your belief on the subject or your denominational affiliation?

Let's tackle the first question first.

One of the foundational principles that set Baptists apart from other Christian denominations is that, from their earliest days, they have been wary of creeds, which

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