05-12-2021
Image Source: YouTube Screenshot/Lifeway Christian Resources
The news of the Saddleback Church s decision to ordain three women as pastors last week, a first for the largest Southern Baptist Convention-connected church in the U.S., was received with both applause and disdain.
The church posted the news on Facebook, proclaiming that it was a historic night.
Appointing women to the position of pastor goes against the traditions of strictly male leadership within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).
On Monday, SBC President, J.D. Greear shared his unhappiness over the Saddleback s move in his blog. While I have long respected Saddleback s ministry impact and heart for getting the gospel to the nations, I disagree with their decision to take this step, and would even say I find it disappointing, he wrote.
Newly elected Southern Baptist Convention President Pastor J.D.Greear, lead pastor of Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, speaks at a news conference at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, on June 12, 2018. | The Christian Post
J.D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said the California-based Saddleback Churchâs decision to ordain three women was âdisappointing,â and urged the denomination to âstand on the bedrock of Godâs Word â whether the issue is the role of pastor or any other issue.â
In a development described by Saddleback as âhistoric,â the church, founded by Rick and Kay Warren, announced that they ordained their first three female pastors, despite being affiliated with the SBC which prohibits female ordination.
Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren speaks at the Closing Gala of Proclaim 19, the NRB International Christian Media Convention in Anaheim, California | NRB
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler says Rick Warren s California-based Saddleback Church is in direct violation of denominational teaching for ordaining three women pastors and is calling for the denomination to reaffirm its teaching.Â
âThis past week, Saddleback Community Church in California ordained three women as pastors. In a development described by the church as âhistoric,â the church posted a photograph of the ordinations with the text: âSaddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren and others pray over the first three women the church has ordained as pastors,ââ Mohler wrote in an op-ed published on his website Monday.Â
05-10-2021
Image Source: YouTube Screenshot/Saddleback Church
Rick Warren s Saddleback Church, which is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), announced Thursday that it ordained three women as pastors.
The church shared the news in a Facebook post, proclaiming that it was a historic night. We ordained our first three women pastors, Liz Puffer, Cynthia Petty, and Katie Edwards! We re so grateful to share this moment with you. Our best days are ahead of us!
Appointing women to the position of pastor goes against the traditions of the strictly male leadership within the SBC. Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.
A variety of reactions are shared on a Saddleback Church social media post and photo about ordaining three women over the weekend. Screengrab via Facebook
(RNS) Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches in the Southern Baptist Convention and home to influential pastor Rick Warren, ordained three women as staff pastors this past weekend, a move that critics say violates the denomination’s statement of faith.
“Yesterday was a historic night for Saddleback Church in many ways!” the Southern California megachurch’s Facebook page announced on Saturday (May 8). “We ordained our first three women pastors, Liz Puffer, Cynthia Petty, and Katie Edwards!”