The well-known author and evangelist Rick Warren struggled tirelessly to unite Saddleback Church and the Southern Baptist Convention, but his efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. The difference between the church and the convention grew as a result of the argument, which was centered on the doctrinal compatibility of female pastors.
The goal of Warren's extensive efforts, which included a video series, an open letter, media appearances, and a social media campaign, was to convince Southern Baptists to overturn the decision by the denomination's credentials committee and Executive Committee to sever ties with Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California because it had female pastors.
Rick Warren's Saddleback Appeal Rejected
According to the article in The Oklahoman, the decision was finally made public on Wednesday at the Southern Baptist annual conference in New Orleans, where messenger delegates assembled. They upheld the choice to separate Fern Creek Baptist in Louisville, Kentucky, and Saddleback Church because both organizations had female pastors. With an overwhelming 88% of the vote, messengers decided to keep Saddleback's expulsion from "friendly cooperation" with the denomination. Warren and Linda Barnes Popham, the pastor of Fern Creek Baptist, made moving comments prior to the vote.
Rick Warren, who had been aggressively promoting the overturning of the February decision, pleaded with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) officials on Tuesday to adopt the custom of "agreeing to disagree" on differing doctrines for the sake of a shared mission. According to the Times, Warren had chosen a husband and couple to take over Saddleback Church after he retired in 2021. According to the Baptist Press, three additional women were also ordained as pastors in the church that year.
Warren tried to persuade the people, but she was unsuccessful. Only 1,212 votes were cast against the decision to disfellowship Saddleback Church, according to The Baptist Press, while 9,437 votes were cast in favor. Fern Creek Baptist's appeal was also denied, with 9,700 voting to sustain the ruling and 806 voting against it.
In response to the results, Warren issued a statement outlining his conviction that change would eventually take place since truth always triumphs over tradition, even if it takes some time. He added that the political arguments and procedural nuances that have marked the discussion would not be as important to the younger generation.
Also Read:Fern Creek Church Faces Removal From Southern Baptist Convention As Female Pastor Sparks Controversy
Rick Warren and Andy Wood Advocate for Female Pastors at Saddleback Church
According to the article shared in Fox News, in spite of the risk of dismissal, Rick Warren consecrated three women for pastoral positions in 2021, sparking the first dispute over the ordination of women as pastors at Saddleback Church. Warren was unwavering in his support for these female pastors at the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Anaheim, stressing the importance of SBC unity. While speaking at the conference, Warren challenged the audience to consider whether they would view one another as allies or foes in the event of a conflict. His words emphasized the value of building a climate of understanding and cooperation within the SBC.
Andy Wood, the current senior pastor of Saddleback Church, also defended the acceptance of female pastors in the congregation. Wood emphasized that both men and women should be able to use their spiritual skills in the church. He particularly lauded his wife, Stacie, a teaching pastor, and acknowledged her remarkable preaching skills. Wood expressed joy when he learned that many people think his wife's sermons are better than his own, furthering his conviction about the importance and contributions of female pastors.
Related Article:Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church Ordains Its First Female Pastors, Gets Mixed Reactions
