I’m adamantly opposed to The Law Amendment, because it clearly encroaches upon the autonomy of the local church, in my judgment, and ratifies a form of church government that gives anyone with the title “pastor” in a local church, “authority” and status reserved for males only. The Law Amendment removes the common titles of “Senior Pastor”, “Lead Pastor”, “Associate Pastor”, “Children’s Pastor”, “Women’s Pastor”, “Youth and Young Adult Pastor” etc.,….from a church’s org chart, unless those positions are occupied by a male. The BFM2K was sold on the basis that Article 6 referenced only lead or Senior pastors. Now, 20+ yrs later, we’re told it references any one who carries the title “pastor” in any capacity. In common Baptist ecclesiology, a local church was viewed as having “one” pastor. Anyone else carrying this title was automatically assumed to be, and actually were an assistant, associate, a specific ministry area pastor…who reported to “the pastor” or his assignee. The Law Amendment is a radical, revolutionary departure from traditional Baptist practice and belief regarding ecclesiology. Both Criswell and Patterson believed that the local church had “one ruling pastor”(Criswell’s language), who led the church assisted by Associates, staff members, and deacons. The ecclesiology espoused by Criswell and Patterson still is the dominant ecclesiology practiced in the average Black Baptist Church, National and Southern Baptist. Seemingly, Asian, Hispanic, and other minorities often employ the Criswell/Patterson model, which was typical in prior generations.
@pastordmack The local church is name only..... in most there is a hierarchy. When you wake up out of the fog your soul is in trouble..