Unity glorifies God, Barber said, saying that he was emphasizing this point because he cares about the glory that unity brings to Jesus. “May God give us the strength to do it, and to do it together,” he concluded.
SBC Disfellowships Historic Baptist Church for Position on Ordaining Women as Pastors
Also on the first official day of the annual meeting, messengers voted to end the convention’s relationship with First Baptist Church of Alexandria, Virginia, because the church had ordained women as pastors.
Pastor Robert Stephens defended the church’s egalitarian views Tuesday, saying that ordaining women was “not a recent development” for the church. “Our presence [in the SBC] clearly demonstrates our shared commitment to prioritizing cooperation for the work of the kingdom and the glory of God, which has been successful,” he said.
Messengers, however, upheld the Credential Committee’s recommendation to disfellowship First Baptist Church, with a majority vote of 91.78%.
Mike Pence Speaks About Politics, Prayer to Southern Baptists at Indy Event
Former President Donald Trump was not the only person from his administration to address attendees of the annual meeting. On Tuesday, June 11, former Vice President Mike Pence spoke to people at an event hosted by the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), the SBC’s lobbying arm.
At the event, which was attended by about 400 people, Pence criticized President Joe Biden, shared his views on how the pro-life movement should move forward now that Roe vs. Wade has been overturned, and emphasized the importance of prioritizing faith for the good of the nation.
“If there was a time to go back to that pulpit and tell your folks pray for America, it’d be now,” said Pence in response to a question about how Americans should approach the upcoming presidential election.
North Carolina Pastor Clint Pressley Elected President of Southern Baptist Convention
After two run-off votes, messengers voted for Clint Pressley to be their new SBC president. Pressley emerged the victor out of six candidates, the other five being David Allen, Bruce Frank, Mike Keahbone, Jared Moore, and Dan Spencer.
