The proposed amendment would require participating churches to have exclusively qualified men serving as pastors or elders.Įstablished in 2006, Elevation Church, headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina, boasts multiple campuses throughout the Charlotte area, as well as in neighboring states and Canada. In addition to the withdrawal, SBC representatives conducted a preliminary vote during the annual meeting to amend the SBC constitution. Elevation Church's decision to sever ties with the convention is effective immediately. The church asserted that its beliefs are closely aligned with those of Southern Baptists and that there are no plans to alter this stance. The Executive Committee received the Elevation Church's withdrawal notice, which was made public by the SBC's official news service, Baptist Press. These churches, along with three others, had appealed their removal by the SBC's Executive Committee due to their inclusion of women pastors. Prominent leaders within the Southern Baptist community have emphasized the inseparable connection between preaching and the role of a pastor.ĭuring the SBC's annual meeting earlier in June, representatives overwhelmingly affirmed the expulsion of Saddleback Church, founded by Rick Warren, and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. "Should your Credentials Committee decide to make this decision by Elevation public, we will only respond with a copy of this letter in anyone inquiring." /agfYFCINAkĪccording to the denomination's statement of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message, the position of a pastor is reserved for qualified men. Letter from withdrawing from SBC references Credentials Committee. Notably, Elevation Pastor Steven Furtick's wife, Holly Furtick, delivers sermons to both men and women at the church and shares links to her messages on her website. The church's correspondence did not explicitly state the reason behind the decision. This development comes less than a month after the permanent expulsion of Saddleback Church for having women pastors.Įlevation Church, known for its multiple campuses and influential role in contemporary Christian worship music, formally notified the SBC of its withdrawal on June 26. In a recent blow to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), Elevation Church, one of its prominent congregations, has made the decision to withdraw its affiliation with the denomination. Pastor Steven Furtick's Elevation Megachurch Severs Ties with SBCġ2:13PM EDT James Lasher ( Screenshot Steven Furtick Instagram)
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