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CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Southern Baptists Expel a Historic Church for Believing Women Can Serve as Pastors

Even as they prepare to vote on a formal ban on churches with female pastors, delegates to the Southern Baptist Convention annual convention voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to remove one such church from its membership.

Messengers, or voting representatives, voted 6,759 to 563 to remove First Baptist Church of Alexandria (FBCA), Alexandria, VA a historic Virginia church that believes women can serve in any pastoral post, including senior pastor.

Since its founding in the 19th century, the Virginia church has been active in the nation's largest Protestant denomination, contributing millions to denominational initiatives.

However, it came under scrutiny after a nearby church's pastor reported it to denominational officials for having a woman as pastor for children and women.

The vote came after the denomination's credentials committee recommended earlier Tuesday that the church be deemed not in "friendly cooperation," the definition of expulsion, because it violates the Baptist Faith and Message.

According to this statement of Southern Baptist belief, only men are qualified to serve as pastors.

Some believe this to only apply to associate pastors if the senior pastor is male.

“We find no joy in making this recommendation, but have formed the opinion that the church’s egalitarian beliefs regarding the office of pastor do not closely identify with the convention’s adopted statement of faith.”
- Jonathan Sams, Chair, Southern Baptist Convention Credentials Committee

The Alexandria church is now led by a male, Robert Stephens, but the church has made it plain that women can also serve as senior pastors.

Stephens stated that his church has had women in ministry for over 44 years and plans to continue working with Southern Baptists who disagree on this topic.

“First Alexandria stands before you today as a testament that we can maintain a fruitful partnership with churches that take a different stance on women in ministry. We at First Baptist are advancing the gospel, and we hope that we will continue to work alongside you all.”
- Robert Stephens, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Alexandria (FBCA), Alexandria, VA

Afterward, representatives from the Alexandria church expressed their good wishes to the SBC.

However, they stated that they would focus on First Baptist's own activities, which includes sending a mission team to Nicaragua, collaborating on a Bible translation project, and participating in a church youth camp and other ministries.

“This is a sad moment for us, but we also recognize that God has a future for First Baptist Church.”
- Robert Stephens

“We have good news to share with the world, and we will keep doing that.”
- Kim Eskridge, Pastor for Children and Women, First Baptist Church of Alexandria (FBCA), Alexandria, VA

On Wednesday, delegates will consider including a restriction on churches having female pastors in the SBC's constitution.

The proposed amendment got preliminary approval last year and will need a final vote this year to be approved.

As of Tuesday evening, 10,895 messengers had registered to participate.

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