About Southern Baptist Pastors

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By Tonya Nash
eHow Contributing Writer

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Southern baptist pastors serve as leaders of local churches throughout the United States. They have multiple duties as pastor, but their main job is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the church. Southern baptist pastors feel that they are called by God into service as a pastor. While this role can be challenging, it is also rewarding and fulfilling to those that have answered the call.

History

The Southern baptist denomination developed as a result of differing opinions with Northern baptists on how to promote the interests of baptists in the South. In 1845, baptist leaders throughout the South gathered together for a convention in Augusta, Georgia. They gathered to discuss how to organize as a separate body. The group sought to allow local churches to maintain their autonomy, but to ban together on causes related to missions and other Christian ministries. This model is still followed today.

Identification

The term Southern baptist convention refers to the denomination and the annual meeting that is held. Pastors become a part of the convention by being pastor of a church that is in good standing with the Southern baptist convention.

Geography

Southern baptist pastors are located all around the United States. They are not limited to a specific geographical location. There are 1,200 local Southern baptist associations and 41 state conventions and fellowships. Southern baptists sponsor 5,000 home missionaries in the United States, Canada, Guam, and the Caribbean. In addition, they also sponsor more than 5,000 foreign missionaries in 153 nations.

Function

Southern baptist pastors are licensed and ordained by their local church. The Southern baptist convention has no role in this matter, but local churches report to the Southern baptist convention who they have licensed and ordained. Once a person has been licensed or ordained by his local Southern baptist church, he may attend a Southern baptist seminary. While in seminary, ministers receive training on the Bible as the word of God and learn how to be servants to their church. Currently, there are 6 seminaries throughout the United States and one seminary extension available. Southern baptist pastors have a lot of independence on how the church is run. However, the pastor must hold true to the general beliefs of the Southern baptist convention, which is called the "Baptist Faith and Message."

Considerations

In order to be a Southern baptist pastor, you must be male. Though Southern baptists believe that women are equal to men, the role of a Pastor is only for men, according to their interpretation of the Bible.