Caleb Bell

Reflections on Scripture, life, and ministry from a grateful beneficiary of grace.

June 13, 2026 · 7 min read

M ohler's Amendment: Worthy of Pursuit?

Albert Mohler, who serves as the President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, presented his amendment to this year’s Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The amendment adds clarity concerning the office of pastor/elder/overseer to Article 3, paragraph 1, and reads as follows:

6. Does not act to affirm, appoint, or endorse a woman serving in the office or function of a pastor/elder/overseer, specifically preaching to the assembled congregation.

In voting year 1 of 2 the amendment passed with 76% approval (you can read more on this here). This amendment will be in limbo for the next year as the conversation heats up regarding this move to further distinguish the office of pastor as one for qualified men. Some may consider this conversation to be fruitless. I’m not of that conviction. I believe this conversation is great for the doctrinal maturity of Southern Baptist Churches, and below I’ve briefly outlined how I see it positively impacting the SBC.

1. It moves Southern Baptists closer to their confessional roots.

The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BFM) has unfortunately become a default document that many churches point to when asked “what do you believe”, but few truly live out the full implications of what is stated there. While pastors on staff may be knowledgeable of the BFM’s contents, the average congregant seems to be only tangentially aware of the stances outlined therein. One glaring example of this is the issue of whether or not women should hold the office of or carry out the function of a pastor/elder/overseer.

That the Truth & Unity amendment was opposed by roughly a quarter of those in attendance (messengers made up of pastoral staff and lay people) shows just how much confusion and disagreement there is concerning the already clear language of the BFM. So, if nothing else, this amendment (assuming it is passed again in 2027) re-emphasizes how fundamentally important the sufficiency and authority of Scripture are in establishing doctrinal truths that inform our faith and practice in the SBC.

One thing Mohler mentioned in his passionate presentation of the motion was the adherence of the motion’s language to the model of the 1689 Baptist Confession (also known as the Second London Baptist Confession). What the BFM and the 1689 confessions exemplify is the importance of articulating the clear teachings of the Bible for the sake of defining a clear path towards healthy fellowship with God and with one another. This sets up my next point regarding true unity in the body of Christ.

2. It upholds real, biblical unity — not the flimsy tolerance of our relativistic society.

Love according to God is inextricably tied to His character. Love is because God is. But to the world around us, love is because God is not; or if God is, then God is a chameleon. Albert Mohler’s amendment does more than just bring clarity to the question of who can fulfill the office and function of pastor; it gives Southern Baptists an opportunity to declare to one another and to the world that God has spoken and His people hear His voice and follow Him. It’s a chance to make our unity about the holiness and glory of God rather than about whether or not everyone feels included.

It should go without saying that truth is not validated by feelings. Furthermore, it shouldn’t need to be said that truth inherently draws a line that delineates the faithful from the unfaithful — the righteous from the unrighteous. But this is exactly what must be said in the midst of the cultural moment we’re in (one that has been teetering on the edge of collapse for what seems like the last 20 years). We want people to know God for who He is. Therefore, we must pursue unity in who He is. The Church, by definition, consists of those saved by grace through faith in Christ. When we soften our stance on pure teachings of God’s Word for the sake of soothing the conscience of unbelievers, we completely miss the point. Pursuing the kind of clarity that Mohler’s amendment represents is the kind of effort that ultimately brings us closer together and closer to God’s design. May this endeavor be an example of the SBC pursuing faithfulness to God first and trusting Him with what comes next.

3. It emboldens Southern Baptists to celebrate God’s order in the Church and in the home.

Many have attacked this amendment as though it takes something away from women. This is not the case. As has been stated, the BFM includes this distinction already and does so because it is clearly taught in Scripture. In 1 Timothy 2 Paul argues from creation (not the audience’s context as some propose), which magnifies the authority of God to make men and women equal in dignity but not in roles. In marriage, the husband is to be head over the wife. In the church, God raises up men to equip the saints for the work of ministry in the office of pastor/elder/overseer. Jesus, the Son of God, is head over His bride, the Church.

It has never been and never will be a matter of which sex is more valuable. It has been and always will be a matter of what God has said. Our response should be joy in the Lord’s perfect wisdom — His wisdom for the Church and His wisdom for our homes. It’s not a matter of 1st vs 2nd place. It’s a matter of God’s will to create male and female for purposes distinct from and complementary to each other.

4. It opens up the conversation of “what is a pastor?” far beyond the male/female aspect.

The office of pastor/elder/overseer is well defined in Scripture. The next logical step beyond the Mohler amendment is seeking more clarity on what makes a man qualified for being called into a pastoral role. Again, this is only good for the body of Christ. Understanding this more fully helps SBC congregations to support, pray for, and hold accountable their pastor(s). This really should become a large portion of the conversation sooner than later. If we fail to articulate God’s design for pastors/elders/overseers, we’ll see this argument continue to be a gender war battlefield. It is also necessary that we discuss what a pastor is to do in fulfillment of this office (i.e. what is the pastor’s function?). Articulating these things from Scripture can only be good for the church and for the SBC. Passing the amendment is a vote toward a revival of clarity concerning the office of pastor.

5. It rejects cultural norms for the sake of being a holy witness unto the world.

Passing and upholding this amendment clearly communicates to the world around us that we are not of the world. We are sons and daughters of God. Therefore, we strive to obey His commands and trust God to make our light bright before the world. Some who oppose the amendment do so from an evangelistic position. I love evangelism and agree that we must proclaim the gospel for the sake of the salvation of sinners. It’s essential and non-negotiable. I do not, however, believe that we should soften the authority of God’s Word for the sake of appearing more attractive to the world. We should be more concerned with devotion than we are with attraction. God doesn’t call us to forsake Him so that we might win souls. Unfortunately, many have given Paul’s words that meaning by saying that “becoming all things to all people” justifies a worldly flair in the assembly of the Church. As it has been said, what you win them with is what you win them to—and I would prefer to win them to Christ instead of their preferences.

Taking a step toward doctrinal clarity concerning the role of pastor/elder/overseer is a chance for Southern Baptists to grow brighter as we seek to walk in the light as He is in the light. Holiness and evangelistic fervor are not mutually exclusive endeavors.

Why is this even a problem right now?

Some have questioned why the SBC should even worry about such a problem — especially since the BFM so clearly defines the office of pastor/elder/overseer already. The way I see it, why would you not pursue doctrinal clarity? It may sound somewhat pious and measured to refuse the amendment because of what is already in the BFM, and to be honest I wish that its existence in the BFM was enough to hold the line. But the reality is that it simply hasn’t been enough. The larger battle to be won here is the battle for the sufficiency and authority of Scripture in SBC churches. This can’t continue to be a gray area because Scripture doesn’t present it as such. True unity has a defined center — a source of absolute truth. The Bible has clearly spoken. Why shouldn’t our confession and constitution hold us accountable to upholding such clarity in our convention?

I’ll leave you with the words of 1 John 1:7,

…but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, … — 1 Jn 1:7, NASB20

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