Southern Baptists Won’t Back Female Chaplains

The Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board has decided to no longer endorse ordained female chaplains.

The action, taken at a trustee meeting last week, reflects another adaptation of denominational policy after revisions of the faith statement of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.

The board oversees the work of the Chaplains Commission, which endorses chaplains to work in such areas as prisons, hospitals and businesses.

Mission Board spokesman Martin King said 2,600 chaplains are endorsed by the denomination, including 235 women. Ninety-four of those women are ordained. He said the decision “applies to future endorsements.”