First Baptist Church of Alexandria, located at 2932 King Street, is facing potential expulsion from the Southern Baptist denomination due to its employment of female pastors. Despite the denomination’s strict policy allowing only men to hold the title of pastor, Kim Eskridge has served in this role at the church for nearly two decades.
The church, known for its commitment to gender equality in ministry, has been under scrutiny since it was reported to the Southern Baptist Convention in 2022. With the Convention’s decision to disfellowship other churches for similar reasons, First Baptist Church of Alexandria remains steadfast in its support for women in leadership roles.
As debates within the denomination continue, the church stands firm in its belief in God’s call to ministry for both men and women. With difficult decisions looming regarding its future affiliation with the SBC, the church remains dedicated to its longstanding commitment to inclusivity and equality in ministry.
According to the church website:
In 2022, First Baptist Church of Alexandria was reported to the Credentials Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) for being “out of step” with the Baptist Faith and Message 2000.” At the time, there were two women serving as pastors in staff. Then in 2023, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) overwhelmingly voted to disfellowship (or vote out) two Southern Baptist churches for the same reasons: Saddleback Church in California and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Kentucky. Further, the SBC voted to adopt a constitutional amendment specifying that SBC churches can only employ men as pastors or elders. This action was in stark contrast to the longstanding ideal that SBC churches were autonomous and that, “the Convention does not claim and would never attempt to exercise any authority over any other Baptist body, whether church, auxiliary organizations, associations or convention.” As a church that employed two female pastors at the time, First Baptist Church of Alexandria (FBCA) was engaged in this debate and grieved by this result. We remain resolute in recognizing God’s calling to ministry for both men and women. For nearly 100 years, women have had a prominent role in ministry and positions of authority at FBCA. In the coming year, the SBC will continue to debate this question. A second vote to ratify the amendment will take place and potentially other action will be taken against our church specifically. At that time, FBCA members will have to respond graciously and make difficult decisions about the future of our church’s participation in the SBC.
