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A thought-provoking examination of biblical authority versus cultural accommodation unfolds as we dive into the New Yorker's recent mini-documentary questioning whether the Southern Baptist Convention can survive without women pastors. We analyze how the video juxtaposes compassionate female leadership against supposedly rigid traditionalism while missing the fundamental theological principles at stake.

The heart of this conversation isn't about personalities or even church growth strategies. Rather, we examine how passages like 1 Timothy 2-3 and Titus 1 have historically informed Southern Baptist understanding of pastoral qualifications. Tom Askell's powerful statement from the documentary perfectly captures the conservative position: "It's God's world. He sets the rules. It's Christ's church. We can't make it up as we go."

We challenge the documentary's narrative by examining real growth numbers from churches committed to biblical authority. While mainline denominations embracing female ordination have experienced significant membership losses over decades, many theologically conservative SBC churches are thriving. Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, for example, has nearly doubled its attendance in just four years while maintaining traditional positions on pastoral leadership.

Baptist polity gets special attention as we clarify misconceptions about church autonomy and denominational boundaries. The SBC cannot "remove" churches—it can only determine which congregations maintain "friendly cooperation" with the convention's stated beliefs. This distinction matters tremendously in understanding what's actually happening when messengers from churches with female pastors are unseated.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas-Fort Worth, we invite you to follow our coverage at baptistcourier.com, where we'll provide timely updates and thoughtful analysis of this ongoing conversation within America's largest Protestant denomination.

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