As recently as 2002, the
North American Mission Board announced that it would no longer endorse as chaplains women who had been ordained.
The attitude of leaders is reflected in the statement of Lisa Chilson Rose, director of volunteers for MNYBA: "My thoughts are that Jesus used women as much as he used men and valued them in the ministry of the gospel." (23) It is my understanding that the current policies of the
North American Mission Board prohibit the appointment of ordained women as missionaries and the endorsement of ordained women as chaplains.
* The Southern Baptist
North American Mission Board (NAMB) is teaming up with Falwell's Thomas Road Baptist Church to undertake missionary efforts in Chicago.
One woman at the North American Mission Board (formerly HMB) has policy-level supervision over a few mission personnel.
Personnel of the North American Mission Board also must pledge adherence to BFM 2000.
The SBC's
North American Mission Board will give financial support to First Priority of America in what has been termed a "strategic alliance."
At least half of the mission boards' annual budgets are currently met due to the educational and promotional effort of women, yet in 1999 women made up only 26 percent of the International Mission Board trustees and 23 percent of the
North American Mission Board. (10) At present the Executive Committee, the most powerful committee of the SBC, is composed of a mere 5.6 percent women.
Interestingly, many SBC agencies have since undergone name changes, including the Foreign Mission Board (International Mission Board), the Home Mission Board (
North American Mission Board), the Sunday School Board (Lifeway Christian Resources), and the Christian Life Commission (Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission).