“I’m a complementarian. I believe that the pastor-elder of the church has to be male, the primary teaching pastor of the church,” Litton said. “But I also believe in the autonomy of the local church. The truth is, the Baptist Faith and Message doesn’t speak to my wife with me in a series on marriage or a series talking about family. I don’t know about you, but I don’t contain all the wisdom in the world. I believe the Word of God does. But my wife is an apt teacher and she helps me communicate to our people. She also provides a voice that our people need to hear. I felt absolutely free within my convictional status, the Baptist Faith and Message, and the Word of God to invite my wife to come up. She is under my authority as her pastor. We did that together and I am very proud of her.”
SBC Saddleback Church Ordains Women
Saddleback Church, one of the largest churches affiliated with the SBC, ordained three female pastors on May 7, 2021. The church, which is pastored by Rick Warren, called it a “historic night for Saddleback Church in many ways!”
Related article: Saddleback Church, One of the Largest in the SBC, Ordains Its First Female Pastors
The then-president of the SBC, J.D. Greear, called Saddleback’s ordinations of women pastors “disappointing.” In a post shared on his blog, Greear said, “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.”
