“When I was called as pastor, some people left because of the women’s issue,” Popham said. “But other people left just because they felt I was too conservative.”
“I just try to follow what Scripture says. Whether that’s called ‘conservative’ or whatever that’s called, I want to follow what Scripture says,” Popham continued.
“The direction the Southern Baptist Convention is going now seems very dangerous—that you have to think exactly like a particular group of people,” said Popham. “And, to me, it’s like they want to purge to their standard of purity, which is different from God’s standard of purity.”
When asked if she considers herself a feminist, Popham said, “No.”
“I just never felt that I was supposed to go be the cheerleader for women’s rights,” she added. “I just felt like God was calling me to do what I was doing, and people would see that, and that would quietly help change people.”
Following the vote to disfellowship Fern Creek, Popham said, “It hurts my heart. And I think what hurts it even more is the hypocrisy of these people who call themselves Southern Baptist leaders.”
“Why do I threaten the Southern Baptist Convention? A woman who’s leading people to Jesus, working with the homeless, the down-and-out, the children and the youth—what is the threat?” asked Popham.
Ascol offered a different perspective, saying, “[Violating] what the Bible teaches so simply and clearly here will embolden churches to say, ‘Well, we have adjusted on this. We can adjust on other things as well.’”
“This is not something unique to Southern Baptists. It’s just that Southern Baptists have been able to hold the line on this,” said Ascol.
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When asked how he reacts to those who call him “hateful” or “divisive,” Ascol joked, “Well I think you should have known me before I was converted.”
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