Southern Baptist Convention Rejects Progressive Church Modernization Efforts

Recent developments highlight challenges and transformations within religious communities and related organizations. The Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting saw setbacks for conservatives, including the failure of a proposed amendment to remove churches appointing female pastors and efforts to dismantle its progressive-leaning Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, reflecting ongoing tensions between conservative and progressive factions within evangelicalism. Meanwhile, a documentary revealed coordinated efforts by some SBC-affiliated leaders to modernize churches using managerial and market-driven approaches, often reshaping congregations without full congregational consent and sidelining long-standing ministries. In another religious context, entheogenic churches face skepticism globally about their legitimacy, with critics accusing some of exploiting religious status for financial gain, which threatens their survival and calls for higher ethical standards within these communities. Additionally, reflections on spirituality across cultures emphasize a shift from ritual-focused practices to more personal, mindful experiences, illustrating evolving spiritual identities in diverse environments. These developments underscore ongoing debates about faith, leadership, and authenticity in modern religious practice.