The Latest Breaking News from Saddleback Church

Commentary: What is the Southern Baptists’ problem with women?

At their annual meeting in New Orleans last week, Southern Baptists doubled down on their crusade against female clergy. “Messengers” (delegates) of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination ratified the expulsion of two congregations — one of them Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California — for condoning the ordination of women.

Los Angeles Times · Jun 19, 2023

Southern Baptist Convention votes to expel two churches with female pastors – a religion scholar explains how far back these battles go

During its two-day annual meeting that began on June 13, 2023, the Southern Baptist Convention reaffirmed the ouster of its largest congregation that ordained women and began a process to amend its constitution to ensure its church membership “does not affirm, appoint or employ a woman as a pastor of…

The Conversation · Jun 16, 2023

US Southern Baptist Convention upholds expulsion of churches over female pastors

California-based Saddleback megachurch and Fern Creek Baptist church, a smaller congregation in Kentucky, were both expelled

The Guardian - US · Jun 15, 2023

What's next for the Southern Baptist Convention after it ousted 5 woman-led churches?

The Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee ousted the churches for having female pastors. What's behind the decision is unclear, but the move has been criticized inside and outside the SBC.

WEKU · Mar 2, 2023

Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors

Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, was one of five churches expelled by the Southern Baptist Convention for having women pastors on staff

The Independent UK · Mar 1, 2023

'A very dangerous course': What Saddleback Church ouster means for Southern Baptists

Last week the Southern Baptist Convention ousted Saddleback Church, one of its largest and highest-profile member churches, from its ranks. The reason? Because after the Orange County megachurch ordained three women as associate pastors, it named Stacie Wood, wife of the church's senior pastor, Andy Wood, a teaching pastor.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 28, 2023

Christian right's radicalization worsens

Showily booting the famous Saddleback Church is the latest example of why the church can't keep young people around

Salon · Feb 23, 2023

Southern Baptists oust Saddleback Church over woman pastor

The Southern Baptist Convention has ousted its second-largest church — Saddleback Church — for having a woman pastor

The Independent UK · Feb 21, 2023

New Saddleback pastor sees women clergy in church's future

Last month, Andy Wood took the reins of California-based Saddleback Church from founding pastor Rick Warren, a bestselling author and influential figure in evangelical Christianity

The Independent UK · Oct 24, 2022

Southern Baptists agree to keep list of accused sex abusers

The vote on sex-abuse reforms, just weeks after the release of a report on the long-simmering scandal, fell short of what some abuse survivors in Southern Baptist churches sought.

WEKU · Jun 15, 2022