Southern Baptists have long stood on the twin pillars of sound doctrine and the Great Commission. For nearly two centuries, our cooperative mission has been built not on centralized authority but on shared, biblical convictions—most clearly expressed in our confessional statement, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 (BFM2000).
But in recent years, that doctrinal unity has been tested. Growing confusion over the biblical qualifications for pastors, along with inconsistent responses to churches that depart from our confession, have made it clear: we need clarity.
That is why we support the renewed effort to adopt the Law-Sanchez Amendment in 2025.
Why the Law Amendment Was Proposed
In 2023, Pastor Mike Law of Arlington, Virginia, submitted a motion to amend the SBC Constitution. The proposed language was clear and biblical:
“A church in friendly cooperation with the Convention… affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.”
This amendment did not introduce new theology—it sought to ensure that our constitutional documents reflect the biblical doctrine already affirmed in the BFM2000, which states:
“While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.”
At the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans, the amendment received overwhelming support, passing with over 80% of the vote—the first of two votes required for constitutional amendments.
The 2024 Setback and the NewSpring Church Controversy
In 2024, at the SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, the Law Amendment fell short of the two-thirds vote needed for final adoption. Though a majority still supported it, the defeat sent mixed signals about where the Convention stands on confessional clarity.
That confusion was quickly magnified when the SBC Credentials Committee ruled that NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina, remained in friendly cooperation with the Convention—despite having a woman, Meredith Knox, serve publicly as a “teaching pastor” who regularly preaches.
NewSpring maintains that only men can serve as “lead pastors” or elders, but the title and role of “teaching pastor” clearly places Knox in a pastoral office—contrary to the BFM2000. Despite this, the Credentials Committee declined to recommend disfellowship, stating that there was not enough clarity in the SBC Constitution to make that determination.
This moment exposed the urgent need for the very clarity the Law Amendment was designed to provide.
A Renewed Effort in 2025: The Law-Sanchez Amendment
Now, in 2025, a renewed effort is underway—spearheaded by faithful leaders including Juan Sanchez—to bring the amendment forward again for a vote. The language remains consistent:
“A church in friendly cooperation with the Convention… affirms, appoints, or employs only men as any kind of pastor or elder as qualified by Scripture.”
This is not about controlling local churches. It is about defining what cooperation means. Churches are autonomous—they can structure leadership as they choose. But the SBC is likewise autonomous in determining the terms of friendly cooperation. We are not obligated to cooperate with churches that depart from Scripture on the nature of the pastoral office.
This amendment would bring our Constitution into alignment with our confession and allow our committees to act with integrity and consistency.
Why It Matters
This is not a side issue. It is about our shared identity, our theological integrity, and our missional effectiveness. If we cannot clearly define what a pastor is—and if we do not hold ourselves accountable to the doctrines we affirm—we risk losing both our unity and our witness.
Supporting the Law-Sanchez Amendment:
- Reaffirms our commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture
- Clarifies expectations for churches in friendly cooperation
- Equips SBC leaders and committees to act consistently
- Protects the mission by upholding biblical church order
Confessional cooperation is the bedrock of our work together. If that foundation is compromised, our future mission will falter.
A Call to Faithful Clarity
The SBC does not need more division or more politics. It needs more clarity, more biblical conviction, and more faithfulness.
In a culture where truth is negotiable and roles are reinvented, we must not lose our grip on Scripture. The Law-Sanchez Amendment is an opportunity to plant our feet firmly on the Word of God—for the good of our churches and the glory of Christ.
Let’s speak clearly, act faithfully, and cooperate courageously.
Let us adopt the Law-Sanchez Amendment in 2025.
Because sound doctrine still matters. And it always will.
Doctrine and Mission 
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