Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 17:1 (Spring 2020)
Article: Women And Ministry In The Southern Baptist Convention: A Brief Historical Overview
Author: Lloyd A. Harsch

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Women And Ministry In The Southern Baptist
Convention: A Brief Historical Overview1

Lloyd A. Harsch

Lloyd A. Harsch is chair of the Division of Theological and Historical Studies, and professor of Church History and Baptist Studies, occupying the Cooperative Program Chair of SBC Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Depending on the audience and the speaker, the mere mention of “women in ministry” can be an occasion for raising concern, awareness, or hackles. However, women participating in congregational life and ministry has been, and continues to be, integral to vital, healthy church life. This volume of the Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry will explore Southern Baptists’ current understanding of how women are involved in ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The full range of ministry provided by women is beyond the scope of this article, which will focus more narrowly on visible ministry roles by giving a brief overview of women and ministry roles in the SBC.

Definitions

From our founding, Baptists have proclaimed the gospel of redemption through faith in Jesus to both men and women, with the expectation that both are capable of giving a response. Both men and women repented of their sin and were saved by God’s mercy and grace. Both came together to form congregations for worship and ministry.

God’s call for salvation includes a call to discipleship and ministry. This applies equally to men and women. In this broad sense, all Christians, including Baptist women, are ministers. In discussions on women and ministry over the past 50 years, the term “women in ministry” has been used in some quarters as a euphemism for women as senior pastors. Restricting the term to refer

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only to the senior pastor of a congregation clouds the issue and adds confusion to the discussion. For clarity, the term will be understood in the broader sense in this article. As Baptist Christians, all women who are serving God, in whatever capacity, are women in ministry.

Among the theological distinctives which characterize Baptists is the concept of the priesthood of all believers. At salvation, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in each believer. As a result, each believer can be led by God in understanding Scripture and applying it to one’s life. Southern Baptists affirmed this concept in the current edition of the Baptist Faith and Message (BFM): “each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord.”2