Moore would eventually leave the denomination in part because she said the uproar over women preaching was overshadowing the SBC’s abuse crisis. That led to claims that women preachers were invading the SBC, which remains an issue for critics of SBC leadership like Florida pastor Tom Ascol, a leading candidate for SBC president. The issue of women pastors and women preachers caused a national debate in 2020, after Bible teacher Beth Moore tweeted about speaking at a church on Mother’s Day. Others, like Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler, say no woman should serve as a pastor in any capacity. Some Southern Baptists say that ban on women pastors only applies to the senior pastor of a church. That move put Saddleback in the middle of a divide over the SBC’s statement of faith, which restricts the office of pastor to men. In May 2021, the church ordained Liz Puffer, Cynthia Petty and Katie Edwards as staff pastors. The bestselling author spoke at the SBC Pastors’ Conference in 2011. Warren started the Southern California church in 1980 after graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While Saddleback does not use the word “Baptist” in its name, the church is affiliated with the 13.7 million-member SBC. Pastor Rick Warren preaches via video at Saddleback Church, June 12, 2022, in Lake Forest, California. Warren’s appeal came as members of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination were considering expelling Saddleback for violating a ban on woman pastors. Give a gift of $25 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of “In Our Lives First: Meditations for Counselors” by Dr.