WHEREAS, Scripture assigns the work of shepherding, overseeing, and teaching and preaching to the gathered church to qualified men appointed by the church to the office of pastor/elder/overseer (John 21:15-17; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Peter 5:1-3); and
WHEREAS, The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 states that the church’s “two scriptural offices are that of pastor/elder/overseer and deacon” and that “the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture” (Article VI); and
WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention recently reaffirmed its confessional heritage that the New Testament terms “bishop,” “elder,” “overseer,” and “pastor” refer to the same biblical office (“On the Southern Baptist Confessional Heritage of the Office of Bishop/Elder/Pastor,” 2023); and
WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that women are equally created in the image of God, gifted by the Holy Spirit for meaningful service, and valuable in the work of the church (Genesis 1:27; Acts 2:17-18; 1 Corinthians 11:5, 12; Titus 2:3-5); and
WHEREAS, The Southern Baptist Convention has repeatedly affirmed both the equal dignity and value of women in service to the church of Jesus Christ (“On the Legacy and Responsibility of Women Fulfilling the Great Commission,” 2023; “On the Dignity and Worth of Women on the Occasion of the One Hundredth Anniversary of Women as Messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention,” 2018); and
WHEREAS, Confusion has arisen in some Southern Baptist churches regarding the relationship between the title, office, and function of pastor, including the use of title “pastor,” “elder,” or “overseer” for roles that either do not carry the responsibilities of the pastoral office or are assigned in ways inconsistent with the Convention’s articulated understanding of Scripture on this matter; and
WHEREAS, Southern Baptists have recognized that biblical terminology should be used carefully and consistently in order to promote doctrinal clarity, faithful cooperation, and unity among churches; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, June 9-10, 2026, reaffirm that the office of pastor/elder/overseer is limited to men as qualified by Scripture; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we affirm that the New Testament presents the pastoral office and the function of pastoral oversight of the church as inseparably connected; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we affirm the function of teaching Scripture and preaching the Word to the gathered church is essentially connected to the office of pastor/elder/overseer and should not be separated from the qualifications for pastoral ministry; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage Southern Baptist churches to maintain clarity and integrity in their ministerial titles and practices so that nomenclature is not used in ways that obscure or contradict the Convention’s adopted statement of faith regarding the pastoral office; specifically, we encourage churches to use the titles “pastor,” “elder,” and “overseer” in a manner consistent with the biblical office described in Scripture and affirmed in The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and not to use these titles in ways that separate the title from the office and function of pastor; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we express gratitude for the indispensable service, discipleship, evangelism, missions work, and ministry contributions of women throughout Southern Baptist life and encourage churches to continue affirming and deploying women in biblically faithful ways; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we call pastors to teach and uphold the biblical pattern of church leadership, which includes exemplifying the qualifications of godly character and conduct prescribed in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we commend this understanding to the churches of the Convention and to the entities and committees serving the Convention as reflective of the Southern Baptist Convention’s confessional understanding of the office and function of pastor.