National Baptist Convention USA, and Women in Ministry

National Baptist Convention USA, and Women in Ministry September 19, 2014

The National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. has morphed into the Southern Baptist Convention. Sadly, few have noticed. Even more disheartening is no one seems to care. When Rev. Jerry Young was elected as president of the National Baptist Convention, no one stopped to question his position on women in ministry. Young, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi, was elected during the 134th annual session of the convention last week in New Orleans.


Young received 3,195 of the 6,400 votes cast. He won on a platform that promises to modify the organizations infrastructure. Masses of women voted for Young despite his opposition to women in ministry. Men who serve with women on staff voted for young.

No one seems to care.

Young’s promise for infrastructure modifications was enough to entice members to place the needs of women on the backburner. Women voted against their own interest, and men made a statement regarding the power and privilege of men within the National Baptist Convention.

The national press failed to cover Young’s election. With more than 7.5 million members, the National Baptist Convention is the largest black denomination in America. At one time, half of America’s black population was a member of the convention. The lack of national coverage reflects the groups dwindling influence, and the election of Young speaks to the group’s lack of sensitivity related to women in ministry.

No one seems to care that Young has publicly denounced women in ministry. No one seems to care about the lingering message sent to the more than 10,000 women ordained by churches within the National Baptist Convention. 



Read the rest here

Browse Our Archives