SBC President Proposed New Gender Amendment
Willy Rice introduced a proposal to update the Baptist Faith & Message regarding human sexuality and marriage.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Christianity
Live Poll
Should religious institutions update their doctrinal stances to reflect changing social definitions of gender and marriage?
Southern Baptist Convention President Willy Rice has proposed adding an article to the Baptist Faith & Message. The amendment aims to define marriage as between one man and one woman and establish gender as fixed human biology.
Why it matters
Rice stated the amendment is necessary to resolve ongoing cultural confusion regarding gender, sexuality, and marriage within the church. This effort follows the denomination's 2026 initial approval of the Truth and Unity Amendment.
Adoption of the proposed amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote from messengers in two consecutive years. The language is modeled after a 2022 statement initially issued by the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville.
The players
Willy Rice
He is the current President of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Southern Baptist Convention
It is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States.
First Baptist Church of Jacksonville
This congregation issued a 2022 statement that served as a model for the proposed amendment.
The details
The proposal seeks to formally codify definitions of biological gender and marriage within the church's core statement of faith. This follows the 2026 passage of the Truth and Unity Amendment, which clarified that cooperating churches will not endorse women as pastors or elders.
Timeline
September 21, 2026: Willy Rice addressed the SBC Executive Committee.
2026: Messengers gave initial approval to the Truth and Unity Amendment.
February 2027: The Executive Committee will vote on the proposed amendment.
2027: The SBC annual meeting is scheduled to occur in Indianapolis.
Culture Shift
This move reflects an ongoing effort to align denominational statements with traditionalist interpretations of scripture amid broader societal debates. The proposed update serves to formalize stances that have gained momentum within the convention following the 2026 Truth and Unity Amendment.
Members of Southern Baptist congregations may see these theological definitions formalized in their local church's alignment with national convention standards. This policy shift could influence future requirements for cooperating churches regarding their leadership roles and doctrinal commitments.
The takeaway
The proposed changes represent a significant effort to standardize doctrinal positions across the denomination's widespread membership. Leaders and congregants should monitor the upcoming committee vote to understand the potential shift in organizational requirements for churches.
What happens next
The Executive Committee will convene in February 2027 to vote on whether the proposed amendment will proceed to the annual meeting agenda.
Further reading
For more context on ongoing internal debates, visit the Christianity section.
Live Poll
Should religious institutions update their doctrinal stances to reflect changing social definitions of gender and marriage?
