In this conversation, Kathy Hoppe, an associate professor of psychology and former church planter, discusses her challenging journey as a woman in ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention. Robert Downen, a reporter focusing on extremist movements, sheds light on the influence of figures like Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson during the conservative resurgence. They explore the intersection of conviction and politics, the resilience of women in ministry, and the ongoing challenges of seeking recognition in a predominantly male-dominated church environment.
The Southern Baptist Convention's evolving stance on women's roles in ministry during the 1970s and 1980s sparked both progress and significant resistance.
Kathy Hoppe's experiences highlight the personal and systemic challenges women faced in pursuing ministry within a predominantly conservative environment.
Despite facing backlash and institutional obstacles, women like Kathy Hoppe demonstrated resilience and a commitment to their calling in a restrictive denomination.
Deep dives
The Rise of Women's Inclusion in the SBC
In the 1980s, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) found itself at a crossroads regarding the inclusion of women in ministries. The 1983 resolution encouraged the exploration of opportunities for women in church service, signaling a movement towards progressive values in the denomination. However, this was met with significant resistance from traditionalists who sought to restrict women's roles, leading to a division within the SBC that would shape its future. In 1984, despite being a minority, around 250 ordained women began to disrupt the status quo, highlighting the deep-seated tensions regarding gender roles within the church.
Kathy Hoppe's Journey Through Seminary
Kathy Hoppe's experience at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in the late 1970s showcases the challenges faced by women in pursuing theological education. Initially, she felt optimistic and supported, believing she was following God's calling to ministry. However, as she progressed through her studies, she encountered increasing skepticism and hostility from new cohorts who questioned her presence in the Master of Divinity program. This foreshadowed a broader cultural shift within the SBC towards conservatism, which Kathy could not have anticipated during her early years of study.
The Conservative Resurgence and Its Architects
The conservative resurgence in the SBC, driven by Paul Pressler, Paige Patterson, and Adrian Rogers, sought to reclaim the denomination from perceived liberalism, with a focus on biblical inerrancy. Pressler envisioned a takeover by strategically placing sympathizers in key positions, while Patterson articulated the theological stance against women's ordination. Together, they cultivated a grassroots movement, mobilizing supporters and ultimately succeeding in electing Rogers as SBC president in 1979, which marked the start of a fundamentalist shift. This well-orchestrated effort fundamentally changed the SBC's leadership and crippled women's roles within the church.
Kathy Hoppe's Struggles as an Ordained Minister
After being ordained alongside her husband, Kathy Hoppe faced significant backlash from within the SBC regarding her status as a woman minister. Despite being approved for church planting, she received unsolicited and derogatory comments about her ordination and its impact on her husband’s career. Complaints from male pastors led to the Home Mission Board pulling financial support, illustrating the hostile climate towards women in ministry. Through a supportive network, Kathy and her husband continued their church plant in North Dakota, but the emotional toll of these experiences was significant, demonstrating the systemic challenges women faced.
The Ongoing Fight for Women's Roles in the SBC
Despite the setbacks and personal sacrifices, Kathy Hoppe and other women in the SBC remained dedicated to their faith and calling, highlighting the complexities of their experiences within the denomination. Issues of gender roles remained contentious, especially as the conservative leadership often devalued women's contributions and ordained status. Hoppe's insistence on her presence in a male-dominated environment showcases her resilience and commitment to a calling that was consistently undermined by the very institution she grew up in. Her journey reflects a broader narrative of women in the SBC who, while feeling invisible within the system, continue to seek recognition and validation for their contributions.
In Episode 2 of All the Buried Women, co-hosts Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke uncover the turbulent and hidden history of women in the Southern Baptist Convention. The story begins in the 1970s, an era of progress and pushback, and follows the journey of Kathy Hoppe, an ordained woman whose call to ministry intersected with a calculated takeover of the SBC. What happens when conviction collides with politics, and how do women respond when their calling is questioned? This episode reveals the invisible threads tying women’s resilience to a denomination shaped by control and conflict.
We reached out to the SBC, Paige Patterson, Darryl Gilyard, Tommy Gilmore, and the Council for National Policy for comment, and did not hear back.
Writing and Editing: Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke
Sound Editing and Music: Savannah Locke and Todd Locke
Introduction and Closing Song: Jaded by Savannah Locke
Special Thanks (in order of appearance): Kathy Hoppe, Barry Hankins, and Robert Downen
Partner Organization: The Bible for Normal People
Additional Thanks: Andy Clark, Systems Administrator within the University Libraries at Baylor University; Erin Smith, Marketing Manager at Baker Publishing Group; Jordan Corona; Dr. Taffey Hall, Director of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives; Brittany Prescott, Podcast Producer for The Bible for Normal People; Adam McCullough, Archivist of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Gordon Heath, Director of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Rev. Leanne Friesen, Executive Minister of Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) and CBOQ executive board; and Audrey and Alex from Lawyers for Reporters.
