Southern Baptists Refuse to let Saddleback Church Back in, Ousted Over Women Pastors

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has refused to welcome Saddleback Church back into its fold, rejecting an appeal by the California megachurch over its February ouster for having women pastors.

SBC messengers (or delegates) at their annual meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana also rejected a similar appeal by a smaller church, Fern Creek Baptist of Louisville, Kentucky, which is led by a woman pastor.

The results were announced Wednesday morning at the conclusion of the two-day annual meeting of the nation's largest Protestant denomination. All Baptist churches are independent, so...