Texas Megachurch Announces Exit from Southern Baptist Convention Following Discernment Process

Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, announced its decision to leave the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) following a months-long discernment process. The church released a statement on Tuesday, explaining that it held a church conference on Sunday and reached a consensus to disaffiliate. The decision was framed as a commitment to the autonomy of the local church and a desire to determine the timing and grace of any separation from the SBC.

In the statement, Park Cities Baptist Church affirmed that it remains a God-glorifying, Gospel-centered, Bible-believing, theologically conservative Baptist church. The church emphasized that its doctrine and beliefs have not changed, and it continues to seek to glorify the Lord, build up the church, and proclaim the Gospel more effectively. The congregation also expressed a willingness to work with and support specific projects from the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board, which are SBC entities.

Founded in 1939 as an SBC congregation, Park Cities Baptist Church has been limited in its overall support for the Convention for the past two decades. While not directly mentioned in the announcement, the church has supported the role of women as pastors, a stance that diverges from the SBC’s traditional position. Pastor Jeff Warren, who has long advocated for this view, wrote in an opinion column published by the Baptist Standard last year that spiritual gifts are not dispensed according to sex and that all individuals should be released into their God-given calling.

Warren argued that restricting women to specific ministries, such as preschool or youth, narrows the work of a congregation and hinders the advancement of the gospel. This position aligns with broader trends within the SBC, where several churches have faced disfellowshipment for allowing women to serve as pastors. Earlier this year, at the SBC Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, an amendment to permanently ban women from serving as pastors failed to gain the required two-thirds majority, receiving only 61% support.

The decision by Park Cities Baptist Church reflects a growing tension within the SBC over theological and doctrinal issues, particularly regarding the role of women in pastoral leadership. As the church moves forward, it has committed to continuing its mission work and ministry efforts while maintaining its theological convictions. The church’s statement emphasized the importance of unity in the Body of Christ and the pursuit of the Gospel in the unity of the Spirit.

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