New CBF Coordinator on Women in the Pastorate     

                                                                                                                                                                   Vol. IX, No. 10, Nov/Dec 1996

     Daniel Vestal was elected 26 September by the CBF’s Coordinating Council as the CBF’s new national coordinator, replacing Cecil Sherman who retired. Vestal, pastor of Tallowood BC, Houston, begins his new duties 1 December. The October 1996 issue of Fellowship News reports the election and Vestal’s remarks to the Coordinating Council, including the following interesting excerpt. Bold print has been added.

     “During a question-and-answer session, Molly Marshall, a professor at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., [a very liberal seminary supported by the American Baptist Convention, not the SBC, and where a number of liberal professors formerly at SBC seminaries have transferred, e.g., Molly Marshall used to teach at Southern] asked what initiatives Vestal will take to promote women in ministry, including the pastorate.

     “Vestal responded that on the issue of women in ministry ‘I have grown in my journey.’ He said he is committed to women ministers but approaches the issue in the context of missions: ‘In order to do missions, it’s going to require the gifting and calling of all of us.

     “While he has no specific initiatives to propose, Vestal said the Fellowship will ‘encourage institutions and churches to recognize the calling and giftedness of women. ... This organization is not going to back down from its commitment to women in leadership, women in ministry and women in the pastorate, if that’s what a church feels led to do.”

[Editorial Comment: In case any reader was not yet clear as to the CBF’s position regarding women preachers, this interview should settle the matter. I am repeatedly intrigued by “moderate” statements and their phrasing. Note Vestal’s statement, “I have grown in my journey.” The Bible has not changed. God’s Word still specifies men as pastors. But Vestal has changed his view and now, on this issue at least, places expediency and/or his own logic above the Bible.

     Look at Vestal’s last phrase, “if that’s what a church feels led to do.” Where the Bible speaks plainly, we have no right to follow any other leading. In fact, in such a case we have no “right” at all, only the responsibility to obey. so with female pastors. So with a Christian praying about marrying a non-Christian. God forbids it; any questioning of His directive is saying to Him, “God, I think you made a mistake in my situation.” It is to dethrone God and supplant Him with myself. Unfortunately, that is what the CBF does on the issue of women pastors and a number of other issues.

     Folks who see no problem with such adjustable theology and favor female pastors will find a compatible home in the CBF nationally and the Baptist General Association of Virginia within our state. Those who truly believe in full biblical authority and accuracy on all topics and who believe ladies can be of inestimable service in manifold ways but not as pastors will feel much more comfortable in the SBC nationally and the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia . TCP]