Michael McBride, a UC Irvine professor of economics and religious studies, said the action against Saddleback and Fern Creek Baptist will definitely have implications going forward. First, it sends a strong signal to individual congregations within the SBC that, for now at least, it is committed to the prohibition of female pastors. “This raises the stakes for other churches that might want to test the SBC’s resolve,” he said. “Baptist congregations like their independence, and this decision will be an unwelcome message to congregations where members and leaders see no problems with having female pastors.  In the more conservative congregations, this decision will be a welcome clarification, even if the loss of Saddleback Church is viewed as a sad development.”

For the full story, please visit https://www.ocregister.com/2023/06/14/saddleback-church-loses-appeal-over-ouster-from-southern-baptist-convention/.