OKC Senior Pastor Reacts To SBC Vote Striking Down Ban On Female Pastors

In a historic vote, the Southern Baptist Convention struck down the ban on female pastors.

In a narrow vote Wednesday, at a convention in Indiana, voting representatives known as messengers voted on the amendment for a second time solidifying change to the SBC constitution.

While some hailed Wednesday’s vote a victory for women, one metro pastor told News 9 it doesn't necessarily mean we'll start seeing an influx of women behind the pulpit. 

Over the past 48 hours, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. converged in Indiana.

“In 1987 18 women were serving as pastors in Southern Baptist churches. Last year we learned there were over 1,800. This is a problem,” said Virginia Pastor Mike Law.

Around 8,000 messengers voted on the law with 61% voting in favor of the ban.

Senior Pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Justin Ford voted against the amendment for two reasons. One, he wanted to protect his staff.

“We currently have female ministers with pastor in their title such as children's pastor, youth pastor, worship pastor, etc,” said Dr. Ford. “My position on this amendment was an overreach of authority and autonomy that every SBC is supposed to enjoy,” Ford continued.

And while he says he supports female pastoral roles, he tells us it's unlikely his church will ever be led by one.

“That theology is based on scripture that talks about pastors, elders, shepherds, and the requirements for them. And they're referred to always in the bible as men, male,” said Ford. 

One female viewer told News 9, "Women have their place in church but it is not as a pastor."

Oklahoma City resident Ebony Moore says she feels the decision is about progress through compromise. “It takes us as a generation to continue to want to bridge that gap,” said Moore.   

With the decision made Pastor Ford says his church is grateful to be moving forward. “I am grateful the amendment did not pass, and that we can get back to work and get back to things God has called us to do,” said Ford.            

There are an estimated 1,800 Southern Baptist churches across Oklahoma.