Illinois Baptist Fathering Fathers P. 13
SCOTT FOSHIE
Bringing it home Lessons from ERLC service
Rising cost of commitment Maurice Gaiter P. 15
A New Look
SBC 2026
mission
P. 7-12
P. 3
NEW ANNUAL REPORT
SBC baptisms increase but membership declines P. 5
CHURCHES ON MISSION
Summer opportunities for community outreach P. 16
IllinoisBaptist.org
IB
News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
JUNE 1, 2026
Mohler urges ‘pastor’ vote
Wants rule suspended for quicker action Orlando | Earlier projections that the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention would be well attended now have substantive backing: There will likely be a vote on the definition of pastor and the role of women in church leadership. The early predictions about an optimistic meeting will depend on the how the vote goes and how deftly the floor debate is handled. Al Mohler, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President, announced May 18 that he will call for a suspension of the rules to allow for a vote on a constitutional amendment defining the role of pastor/elder/overseer as male-only, thereby confirming the role of women in SBC ministry. This is, in effect, revisiting the “Law Amendment” which failed to get two-thirds majority support in consecutive annual meetings. Mohler says such action would clarify the SBC’s position and bring “unity and truth,” much as it did a decade ago with a constitutional amendment prohibiting LGBTQ affirmation by cooperating churches. P. 4
INSIDE: 6 things we’re watching in Orlando
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 964
Vol. 120 No. 6
P. 4
Baptists’ big mission field Changing Chicagoland ● Longevity wins Downstate B Upstate PLUS: New churches launched at Easter ● P. 10
Ritchie visits Illinois schools P. 6